Read the Report.
The maximum temperature in Raleigh was 2.0°F above average in 2006,
according to a new report released today by Environment North
Carolina. Environment North Carolina said this warmer-than-normal
weather is indicative of what North Carolina can expect with continued
global warming.
“Throw out the record books, because global
warming is raising temperatures in North Carolina and across the
country,” said Environment North Carolina Field Organizer Margaret
Hartzell. “The long-term forecast is for more of the same unless we
quickly and significantly reduce global warming pollution from power
plants and passenger vehicles.”
According to the National
Climatic Data Center, the 2006 summer and 2006 overall were the second
warmest on record for the lower 48 states. 2007 is on track to be the
second warmest year on record globally.
To examine
recent temperature patterns in the United States, Environment North
Carolina compared temperature data for the years 2000-2006 from 255
weather stations located in all 50 states and Washington, DC with
temperatures averaged over the 30 years spanning 1971-2000, or what
scientists call the “normal” temperature.
Key findings for North Carolina include:
•
In 2006, the average temperature was 2.4°F above normal in Greensboro,
more degrees above normal than any other city studied in the state.
Nationally, the average 2006 temperature was at least 0.5°F above
normal at 87 percent of the locations studied.
• In 2006,
Greensboro, Raleigh, and Asheville all experienced average maximum
temperatures — the highest temperatures recorded on a given day — of
2.0°F above normal or more.
• Greensboro experienced
average minimum temperatures — the lowest temperatures recorded on a
given day, usually at night — of 2.1°F above normal in 2006 and 2.1°F
above normal during the 2006 summer. Warmer nighttime temperatures
exacerbate the public health effects of heat waves, since people need
cooler nighttime temperatures to recover from excessive heat exposure
during the day.
• Raleigh’s above-average temperatures
in 2006 are part of a broader warming trend since 2000. Between 2000
and 2006, the average temperature was 1.1°F above the 30-year average
in Raleigh. Nationally, the average temperature during this seven year
period was at least 0.5°F above normal at 87 percent of the locations
studied.
In April 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change found that North America could experience significant
water stress, forest fires, and “an increased number, intensity, and
duration of heat waves” as temperatures continue to rise.
“Scientists
are sounding alarm bells about the impacts of continued global
warming,” stated Hartzell. “The good news is that those same
scientists say we can avoid the worst effects of global warming by
taking bold action now to reduce global warming pollution.”
To
avoid the worst consequences of global warming, the United States must
halt increases in global warming emissions now, cut emissions by at
least 15-20 percent by 2020, and slash emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050.
“The
better news is that we have the technology at our fingertips to cut
global warming pollution and forge a cleaner, more secure energy
future,” said Hartzell.
The United States could
substantially reduce its global warming pollution by using existing
technologies to make power plants, businesses, homes, and cars more
efficient and generate more electricity from clean, renewable sources,
such as wind and solar power.
Congress is poised to
consider global warming legislation this fall. The Safe Climate Act in
the U.S. House and the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act in the
U.S. Senate are the only bills that would reduce pollution to levels
that scientists say are needed to prevent the worst effects of global
warming.
“The heat is on Congress to take decisive action
to curb global warming,” stated Hartzell. “Environment North Carolina
calls on North Carolina’s representatives to support the only bill that
does what scientists say we need to do. We commend Representative Heath
Shuler, the only member of North Carolina’s congressional delegation to
co-sponsor the Safe Climate Act.” concluded Hartzell.
