A new report from the EPA looks at how Climate Change is affecting the United States. Since 1990 we live in a country that’s warmer, with more heat waves and hurricanes. Sea levels are rising and glaciers are melting.
The report lists 24-trends that, according to the EPA, show Climate Change is a “real problem” that’s already impacting our country.
Some highlights:
Greenhouse Gases: Greenhouse gas pollution caused by people rose 14% in the United States from 1990 to 2008. Most of that appears to be due to population growth. The report says the amount of emissions, per person, have remained about the same. Globally, emissions rose 26% from 1990 – 2005.
Average Temperatures: Seven of the top ten warmest years in the U.S. have occurred since 1990. For the world, 2000-2009 was the warmest decade ever recorded.
Heat Waves: Since 1980, we’re seeing more heat waves in the lower 48-states and more parts of the country are experiencing them. Still, things aren’t as bad as they were during the 1930s dust bowl.
Hurricanes: Six of the 10 most active hurricane seasons have occurred since the mid-1990s.
Sea Levels: Global sea levels are rising about an inch per decade. Here in the U.S. we’re seeing the most problems in the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. In the Northwest, sea levels have actually gone down a little. The impact isn’t consistent because, the report says, because in some places the land is rising faster than the ocean.
Glaciers and Ice: Glaciers in the United States and around the world have generally shrunk since the 1960s, and the rate at which glaciers are melting appears to have accelerated over the last decade. Lakes in the Northern U.S. are freezing later and melting sooner than they were 100-years ago.
Oregon gets some special attention in the report. Western Oregon, Western Washington and Northern California are experiencing some of the biggest decreases in winter snowpack. This could cause serious problems for how we manage salmon and steelhead, while trying to set aside water for hydropower and irrigation.
For More Information:
EPA: Climate Change Indicators in the United States
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