Aggressive Action Necessary in Climate Change
NOAA Report Describes Regional Impacts on Environment
Jul 31, 2009
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States on June 16, 2009, which compiled years of scientific research. It takes into account new data not available previously. A consortium of scientists from 13 American government agencies provided the data and authored the report. Several universities also contributed to the report. Global Climate Change Impacts offers an objective scientific consensus on how climate change is affecting and may affect the United States in the future, NOAA said.
Climate Change Action Must Happen Soon
The report explains why remedial action must occur sooner rather than later, said John Holdren, assistant to the president for science and technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Emissions must be reduced worldwide and cities must take action locally to cut the damage associated with climate change, he added. The study found that Americans feel the impact of climate change through extreme weather, drought and wildfires.
Scientists said the report:
- Confirms previous evidence that rising global temperatures are caused by human activities
- Incorporates the latest information on rising temperatures and sea levels
- Talks about increases in extreme weather events
- Lists other climate-related phenomena
The report is the first in almost 10 years to show impacts from climate change by U.S. region and economic cost, NOAA said. This report gives more detail than previous reports, Holdren added.
“This report stresses that climate change has immediate and local impacts. It literally affects people in their backyards,” said Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator, in a press release. The information in the report is designed for city planners, national legislators and citizens who want to understand what climate change means for them, she added.
Lubchenco said the report is 190 pages and is written in language the public and policy makers can understand. It has data from two presidential administrations. The authors of the report are nonpartisan. Scientists within NOAA and outside the government reviewed the report.
Scientists Note Major Findings of Climate Change Report
NOAA reported that:
- Heat waves will become more frequent and intense
- Increased heavy downpours will lead to more flooding and waterborne diseases
- Reduced summer runoff and increased water demands will create greater competition for water supplies in some regions, especially the West
- Rising water temperatures and ocean acidification threaten coral reefs and the rich ecosystems they support
- Insect infestations and wildfires are increasing and projected to continue increasing
- Local sea-level rise of over three feet on top of storm surges will threaten homes and other coastal infrastructure more
According to NOAA, the report will help farmers, local officials, public health officials, water resource managers and business owners.
Americans already are affected by climate changes, according to a report from a consortium of scientists. They must take action now on the local level in addition to a global scale, NOAA said.
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