Climate change is the greatest crisis facing humanity. Whilst rich countries are responsible for most of the emissions pumped into the atmosphere it is the poorest, most marginalised communities in the world that will be hit the hardest by climate change. Millions are at threat from famine, disease, drought, flooding and ultimately death.
But this disaster can be avoided and we can all play an important part.
WDM is calling on the UK government to take action to reduce the UK’s emissions and show the rest of the world that it can be done.
It is time to stop climate injustice.
Take action on climate change.
Campaign Success
Climate Change Bill Becomes Law – The Verdict
After months of committed campaigning by WDM supporters, the UK’s historic climate change bill has completed its journey through parliament and will now become law.
WDM is delighted at the inclusion of three of WDMs main demands: a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050; annual reduction targets; and inclusion of international aviation and shipping emissions.
The bill has now become an Act, setting the targets into law. The strength of the bill is testament to role of all those who took action, so congratulations to all those who sent postcards, emails and letters to the government over the past year.
Unfortunately, the Act contains one loophole; targets can be met by buying carbon credits from overseas rather than reducing emissions in the UK, particularly in sectors such as electricity and aviation. WDM will continue to campaign against new coal power stations and airport runways to ensure that the UK is not able to use this loop hole, and instead fulfil its commitment to cut emissions within the UK.
Corporate Lobbying Causes U-turn on Aviation Tax
In his pre-budget report in November, Chancellor Alistair Darling announced a u-turn on his decision to introduce a new tax on flights. The tax was due to replace air passenger duty. By taxing planes rather than passengers, the scrapped change would have made taxes on flying more closely related to carbon emissions, and so have a greater effect at limiting the climate impact of aviation.
The Chancellor’s decision was taken after fierce lobbying from specific elements of the aviation industry, such as air-freight, who will now continue to pay no aviation taxes at all. The aviation industry will continue to pay no tax on fuel or VAT; an effective subsidy from British taxpayers of £10 billion a year. WDM have expressed disappointment at this u-turn, which has been picked up in the Guardian, Independent and The Telegraph
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
NGO’s write benchmark Copenhagen climate treaty
Climate change experts from leading non-governmental organisations today unveiled their blueprint for a legally binding Copenhagen agreement. This will serve as the benchmark for governments negotiating a new climate deal this year and shows how major differences between rich and poor nations can be overcome.
Download
NGO climate treaty 1.38 MB pdf NGO Copenhagen treaty: full legal text 623 KB pdf WWF Copenhagen Expectations Summary 196 KB pdf NGO climate treaty (.doc version) 6.45 MB doc NGO treaty Legal Text (.doc version) 358 KB doc WWF Copenhagen Expectations Summary (.doc version) 74 KB doc The 160-page “Copenhagen Climate Treaty”, which will be distributed to negotiators from 192 states, took some of the world’s most experienced climate NGO’s almost a year to write and contains a full legal text covering all the main elements needed to provide the world with a fair and ambitious agreement that keeps climate change impacts below the unacceptable risk levels identified by most scientists.
“This is the first time in history that a coalition of civil society groups has taken such a step. Together we have produced the most coherent legal document to date showing balanced and credible climate solutions based on equity and science” said Kim Carstensen of WWF International.
The document describes the path the world must be on to avoid catastrophic climate change, recognising that global temperature increase must be kept well below 2 degrees Celsius. It sets a global cap on emissions – a carbon budget – and explains in detail how both industrialised and developing countries can contribute to the safety of the planet and its people, according to their means and responsibilities and shows how the poorest and most vulnerable on the planet can be protected and compensated.
“We have put protection of the climate and therefore the planet and its people at the heart of this Treaty and we should expect and demand no less of our governments” said Martin Kaiser of Greenpeace International. “All that is needed now is political will and the ‘cut and paste’ feature to produce the agreement the world is waiting for,” he added.
Adaptation is another key component of the Treaty outlining an Adaptation Action Framework which includes grants, insurance and compensation for the most vulnerable countries.
“Help for the poor and vulnerable to deal with the climate impacts that are unavoidable is crucial. Without a strong, effective deal in Copenhagen we could also be looking at more resource wars, disruption, refugees and natural catastrophes in the very near future,” said Wael Hmaidan, IndyACT.
The Treaty calls for a legally binding agreement consisting of three parts; the Kyoto Protocol updated to strengthen industrialised country obligations; a new Copenhagen Protocol that has legally binding commitments for the USA and sets out low carbon pathways for developing countries, supported by the industrialised world; a set of decisions that lays the groundwork for the next three years.
The ‘Copenhagen Climate Treaty’, was drafted by Greenpeace, WWF, IndyACT – the League of Independent Activists, Germanwatch, David Suzuki Foundation, National Ecological Centre of Ukraine and expert individuals from around the world.
Notes to Editors:
The Copenhagen Climate Treaty includes:
The annual global carbon budget in 2020 from all sources of greenhouse gases (not counting those controlled by the Montréal Protocol) would be no higher than 36.1 Gt CO2e, bringing emissions down to roughly1990 levels and would need to be reduced to 7.2 Gt CO2e in 2050, in other words by 80 % below 1990 levels. A design proposal for a new institution – the Copenhagen Climate Facility - to manage the processes for emissions cuts, adaptation and forest protection under the new global treaty. A recipe for long-term action plans for both developed countries (Zero Carbon Action Plans, ZCAPs) and developing countries (Low Carbon Action Plans, LCAPs). Binding targets for Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs) like Singapore, South Korea and Saudi Arabia in line with the Convention principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities
Download
NGO climate treaty 1.38 MB pdf NGO Copenhagen treaty: full legal text 623 KB pdf WWF Copenhagen Expectations Summary 196 KB pdf NGO climate treaty (.doc version) 6.45 MB doc NGO treaty Legal Text (.doc version) 358 KB doc WWF Copenhagen Expectations Summary (.doc version) 74 KB doc The 160-page “Copenhagen Climate Treaty”, which will be distributed to negotiators from 192 states, took some of the world’s most experienced climate NGO’s almost a year to write and contains a full legal text covering all the main elements needed to provide the world with a fair and ambitious agreement that keeps climate change impacts below the unacceptable risk levels identified by most scientists.
“This is the first time in history that a coalition of civil society groups has taken such a step. Together we have produced the most coherent legal document to date showing balanced and credible climate solutions based on equity and science” said Kim Carstensen of WWF International.
The document describes the path the world must be on to avoid catastrophic climate change, recognising that global temperature increase must be kept well below 2 degrees Celsius. It sets a global cap on emissions – a carbon budget – and explains in detail how both industrialised and developing countries can contribute to the safety of the planet and its people, according to their means and responsibilities and shows how the poorest and most vulnerable on the planet can be protected and compensated.
“We have put protection of the climate and therefore the planet and its people at the heart of this Treaty and we should expect and demand no less of our governments” said Martin Kaiser of Greenpeace International. “All that is needed now is political will and the ‘cut and paste’ feature to produce the agreement the world is waiting for,” he added.
Adaptation is another key component of the Treaty outlining an Adaptation Action Framework which includes grants, insurance and compensation for the most vulnerable countries.
“Help for the poor and vulnerable to deal with the climate impacts that are unavoidable is crucial. Without a strong, effective deal in Copenhagen we could also be looking at more resource wars, disruption, refugees and natural catastrophes in the very near future,” said Wael Hmaidan, IndyACT.
The Treaty calls for a legally binding agreement consisting of three parts; the Kyoto Protocol updated to strengthen industrialised country obligations; a new Copenhagen Protocol that has legally binding commitments for the USA and sets out low carbon pathways for developing countries, supported by the industrialised world; a set of decisions that lays the groundwork for the next three years.
The ‘Copenhagen Climate Treaty’, was drafted by Greenpeace, WWF, IndyACT – the League of Independent Activists, Germanwatch, David Suzuki Foundation, National Ecological Centre of Ukraine and expert individuals from around the world.
Notes to Editors:
The Copenhagen Climate Treaty includes:
The annual global carbon budget in 2020 from all sources of greenhouse gases (not counting those controlled by the Montréal Protocol) would be no higher than 36.1 Gt CO2e, bringing emissions down to roughly1990 levels and would need to be reduced to 7.2 Gt CO2e in 2050, in other words by 80 % below 1990 levels. A design proposal for a new institution – the Copenhagen Climate Facility - to manage the processes for emissions cuts, adaptation and forest protection under the new global treaty. A recipe for long-term action plans for both developed countries (Zero Carbon Action Plans, ZCAPs) and developing countries (Low Carbon Action Plans, LCAPs). Binding targets for Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs) like Singapore, South Korea and Saudi Arabia in line with the Convention principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Investors Call On SEC to Enforce Climate Change Disclosures
The investor community is making another attempt to push the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to improve disclosure of climate change risks. Members of the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR) and other leading global investors sent a letter to the SEC this week requesting that the Commission address the lack of corporate disclosure of climate change and other material environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks in securities filings.
Specifically, the investors are requesting that the SEC issue formal guidance on material climate-related risks that companies should disclose and enforce existing disclosure requirements for climate change and other risks such as water scarcity and labor practices. They also want the SEC to recognize shareholders’ right to submit resolutions related to climate change and material environmental, social and governance issues as well as require the disclosure of these risks using the Global Reporting Initiative as a framework.
The letter’s 41 signatories include some of the nation’s largest public pension funds, state treasurers, controllers and comptrollers, asset managers, foundations and other institutional investors with approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management.
The letter was sent to SEC chairman Mary Schapiro, commissioner Luis Aguilar, commissioner Kathleen Casey, commissioner Troy Paredes, and commissioner Elisse Walter.
This letter was sent in the wake of two recent reports, conducted by Ceres, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Center for Energy and Environmental Security, which find that companies with the most at stake in responding to risks and opportunities from climate change are lacking climate-related disclosures.
“Climate change and other environmental and social issues pose bottom line risks, and investors have a right to know which businesses are best positioned to compete in the emerging low-carbon global economy,” said Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres and director of the Investor Network on Climate Risk, in a statement.
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Specifically, the investors are requesting that the SEC issue formal guidance on material climate-related risks that companies should disclose and enforce existing disclosure requirements for climate change and other risks such as water scarcity and labor practices. They also want the SEC to recognize shareholders’ right to submit resolutions related to climate change and material environmental, social and governance issues as well as require the disclosure of these risks using the Global Reporting Initiative as a framework.
The letter’s 41 signatories include some of the nation’s largest public pension funds, state treasurers, controllers and comptrollers, asset managers, foundations and other institutional investors with approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management.
The letter was sent to SEC chairman Mary Schapiro, commissioner Luis Aguilar, commissioner Kathleen Casey, commissioner Troy Paredes, and commissioner Elisse Walter.
This letter was sent in the wake of two recent reports, conducted by Ceres, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Center for Energy and Environmental Security, which find that companies with the most at stake in responding to risks and opportunities from climate change are lacking climate-related disclosures.
“Climate change and other environmental and social issues pose bottom line risks, and investors have a right to know which businesses are best positioned to compete in the emerging low-carbon global economy,” said Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres and director of the Investor Network on Climate Risk, in a statement.
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Green Is as Green Does: The IMEX Awards
The 2009 IMEX exhibition, showcasing incentive travel, meetings, and event suppliers from around the globe, wrapped up at the end of May in Frankfurt, Germany. Green meeting issues were front and center at the show, with an awards program and IMEX’s own environmental initiatives worthy of note.
The IMEX Green Awards, given in partnership with the Green Meeting Industry Council, recognize outstanding achievement for Green Meetings, Green Suppliers, and Green Exhibitors, as well as Commitment to the Community.
The Gold Award in the Green Meetings category went to the U.S. Green Building Council (also the winner in 2006) for its 2008 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo held in Boston. Judges noted that the conference stood out for its success motivating suppliers to support its green initiatives and for its understanding of how to track and measure environmental targets. USGBC is the first North American group to have its entire meeting management department certified through BS 8901 (a British sustainable event certification).
The 2008 Oracle OpenWorld Conference, a San Francisco citywide that attracted 40,000 attendees and used 85 hotels, earned the Green Meetings Silver Award, with standout energy- and paper-saving efforts. Underscoring the idea that some of the smartest green ideas are free, the judges commended OpenWorld for, among other things, making sure all desktop computer monitors at the conference were shut down each night.
Two Australian convention centers took home the Green Supplier Awards. Gold went to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Silver to the Adelaide Convention Centre. Melbourne’s center, the only facility to earn a six-star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, stood out for its use of energy-saving technologies, including a solar hot-water system and an efficient lighting system with built-in motion detection.
Estoril Congress Center, located a short drive from Lisbon, Spain, was honored with the Green Exhibitor Award, given to an organization exhibiting at IMEX. The center was acknowledged for a new booth design and for purchasing carbon offsets for its freight and corporate travel, among other things.
IMEX itself has continued to make environmental progress, this year introducing badge lanyards made from plant silk, hiring biodiesel courtesy buses, and reusing surplus food. Last year, IMEX began using compostable badges and hydroelectric power, and, according to its first-ever independent environmental audit, reduced its per-delegate carbon emissions by 6.3 percent.
A related IMEX award, Commitment to the Community, recognizes the influence event planners can have on corporate social responsibility initiatives, both in terms of steering client behavior and being role models. U.K.–based events company World Events won IMEX’s Commitment to the Community award for the second year in a row, this time in recognition of its work on a conference in Malta for pharmaceutical company Allergan.
The IMEX Green Awards, given in partnership with the Green Meeting Industry Council, recognize outstanding achievement for Green Meetings, Green Suppliers, and Green Exhibitors, as well as Commitment to the Community.
The Gold Award in the Green Meetings category went to the U.S. Green Building Council (also the winner in 2006) for its 2008 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo held in Boston. Judges noted that the conference stood out for its success motivating suppliers to support its green initiatives and for its understanding of how to track and measure environmental targets. USGBC is the first North American group to have its entire meeting management department certified through BS 8901 (a British sustainable event certification).
The 2008 Oracle OpenWorld Conference, a San Francisco citywide that attracted 40,000 attendees and used 85 hotels, earned the Green Meetings Silver Award, with standout energy- and paper-saving efforts. Underscoring the idea that some of the smartest green ideas are free, the judges commended OpenWorld for, among other things, making sure all desktop computer monitors at the conference were shut down each night.
Two Australian convention centers took home the Green Supplier Awards. Gold went to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Silver to the Adelaide Convention Centre. Melbourne’s center, the only facility to earn a six-star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, stood out for its use of energy-saving technologies, including a solar hot-water system and an efficient lighting system with built-in motion detection.
Estoril Congress Center, located a short drive from Lisbon, Spain, was honored with the Green Exhibitor Award, given to an organization exhibiting at IMEX. The center was acknowledged for a new booth design and for purchasing carbon offsets for its freight and corporate travel, among other things.
IMEX itself has continued to make environmental progress, this year introducing badge lanyards made from plant silk, hiring biodiesel courtesy buses, and reusing surplus food. Last year, IMEX began using compostable badges and hydroelectric power, and, according to its first-ever independent environmental audit, reduced its per-delegate carbon emissions by 6.3 percent.
A related IMEX award, Commitment to the Community, recognizes the influence event planners can have on corporate social responsibility initiatives, both in terms of steering client behavior and being role models. U.K.–based events company World Events won IMEX’s Commitment to the Community award for the second year in a row, this time in recognition of its work on a conference in Malta for pharmaceutical company Allergan.
Nisar demands withdrawal of ‘black’ carbon tax
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday described the imposition of Carbon Tax as “Jagga tax’, saying it had been imposed to counter the Supreme Court’s order to reduce the petroleum prices. “It is a black tax that should be withdrawn immediately,” he said.
Opening the budget debate in the National Assembly, Ch Nisar also reminded the government of its promise of undoing the 17th Constitutional Amendment and making parliament the epicentre of power rather than the Presidency.
In his 80-minute speech, he criticised the government for ‘confused’ economic policies, delaying the formation of the parliamentary committee for repealing the controversial 17th Amendment and increasing the budgetary allocations for the Prime Minister’s House and Presidency.
Describing the budget as a replica of the Musharraf government, Chaudhry Nisar said the government had placed a heavy burden of Rs 200 billion hidden taxes on the people. He also criticised the government for assigning the exercise of preparing the budget to advisers and then asking an elected person to read out the budget speech. “In parliament, the budget was presented by the minister of state for finance while in the media other persons explained the budget,” he added.
Chaudhry Nisar also came down heavily on President Asif Ali Zardari for addressing the nation past midnight to announce the raise in the salaries of armed forces personnel just a few hours before the presentation of the budget in the National Assembly. “Those who so advised the president and the government were not sincere with them. It is the prerogative of the prime minister rather than the president,” he added.
He also questioned the government’s non-serious attitude towards probing the assassination of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also censured the government for not taking action against the military dictator who defamed the politicians. He said General Musharraf purchased a flat in London worth millions of pounds. “If a politician purchases such a flat, it becomes a big scandal, but retired generals get away with it,” he added.
He said that the 17th Amendment could be repealed within a few hours but the government had not been able to do so in 15 months. It has even failed to form a parliamentary committee to move in this direction.
Stressing the need to turn parliament into the real power centre, he said: “We want to strengthen parliament rather than the Presidency.”He said the government had given the National Assembly 10 days to pass the budget. “Please don’t take parliament for granted,” he added.
He questioned the wisdom of relying on the promises of the Friends of Pakistan for $5 billion inflows failing which the government would have to go back to the IMF for standby arrangements. He said the withdrawal of subsidies would burden the common man.
He said there was a deficit of Rs 722 billion in the budget, which was to be met by borrowing from the Friends of Pakistan forum or the IMF on hard conditions. He stressed the need for concrete steps to stabilise the economy, strengthen the industrial sector and to boost exports.
He demanded effective steps to eradicate poverty and unemployment and to control the price hike. He suggested that non-development expenditure should be curtailed and maximum funds should be made available for health and education.
He also came down hard on those retired generals who fully supported General Musharraf but were now criticising his policies. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan clarified that during the Long March, he did not receive any phone call from any general. He said that it was the prime minister’s call in which he told him that the government had in principle decided to restore the judges.
The opposition leader also asked the government to bring the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project before parliament for debate. Presenting his proposals for the budget, Chaudhry Nisar demanded reduction in interest rate, industrial revival package, strengthening of the regulatory institutions such as Nepra, OGRA etc, raise spending on education and health and restoration of PLD on the petroleum products rather than carbon tax.After his speech, Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza clarified that the process of formation of the committee was in final stages and would be completed in a few days.
The speaker said the National Assembly adopted a resolution and assigned her the responsibility to form the committee. “Being the custodian of the House, I am only facilitating the House and holding consultation with 15 parliamentary leaders of both the houses of parliament. There were some issues that have been settled and now the committee would be announced within the next few days,” she said.
Defending the budget, Minister for Privatisation Syed Naveed Qamar said a number of incentives had been proposed in the new budget for the alleviation of poverty and promotion of education and health sectors. He said as a result of wide-ranging steps taken by the government in the outgoing year, the economy was stabilised and trade deficit, budget deficit and current account deficit had narrowed down. He said the government had been able to reduce the inflation rate from 25 per cent to about 12 per cent and hopefully it would come down to single digit by December this year. Referring to the demand for the agriculture tax, the minister said under the Constitution the federal government could not impose this tax as it was the domain of provincial assemblies.
Opening the budget debate in the National Assembly, Ch Nisar also reminded the government of its promise of undoing the 17th Constitutional Amendment and making parliament the epicentre of power rather than the Presidency.
In his 80-minute speech, he criticised the government for ‘confused’ economic policies, delaying the formation of the parliamentary committee for repealing the controversial 17th Amendment and increasing the budgetary allocations for the Prime Minister’s House and Presidency.
Describing the budget as a replica of the Musharraf government, Chaudhry Nisar said the government had placed a heavy burden of Rs 200 billion hidden taxes on the people. He also criticised the government for assigning the exercise of preparing the budget to advisers and then asking an elected person to read out the budget speech. “In parliament, the budget was presented by the minister of state for finance while in the media other persons explained the budget,” he added.
Chaudhry Nisar also came down heavily on President Asif Ali Zardari for addressing the nation past midnight to announce the raise in the salaries of armed forces personnel just a few hours before the presentation of the budget in the National Assembly. “Those who so advised the president and the government were not sincere with them. It is the prerogative of the prime minister rather than the president,” he added.
He also questioned the government’s non-serious attitude towards probing the assassination of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also censured the government for not taking action against the military dictator who defamed the politicians. He said General Musharraf purchased a flat in London worth millions of pounds. “If a politician purchases such a flat, it becomes a big scandal, but retired generals get away with it,” he added.
He said that the 17th Amendment could be repealed within a few hours but the government had not been able to do so in 15 months. It has even failed to form a parliamentary committee to move in this direction.
Stressing the need to turn parliament into the real power centre, he said: “We want to strengthen parliament rather than the Presidency.”He said the government had given the National Assembly 10 days to pass the budget. “Please don’t take parliament for granted,” he added.
He questioned the wisdom of relying on the promises of the Friends of Pakistan for $5 billion inflows failing which the government would have to go back to the IMF for standby arrangements. He said the withdrawal of subsidies would burden the common man.
He said there was a deficit of Rs 722 billion in the budget, which was to be met by borrowing from the Friends of Pakistan forum or the IMF on hard conditions. He stressed the need for concrete steps to stabilise the economy, strengthen the industrial sector and to boost exports.
He demanded effective steps to eradicate poverty and unemployment and to control the price hike. He suggested that non-development expenditure should be curtailed and maximum funds should be made available for health and education.
He also came down hard on those retired generals who fully supported General Musharraf but were now criticising his policies. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan clarified that during the Long March, he did not receive any phone call from any general. He said that it was the prime minister’s call in which he told him that the government had in principle decided to restore the judges.
The opposition leader also asked the government to bring the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project before parliament for debate. Presenting his proposals for the budget, Chaudhry Nisar demanded reduction in interest rate, industrial revival package, strengthening of the regulatory institutions such as Nepra, OGRA etc, raise spending on education and health and restoration of PLD on the petroleum products rather than carbon tax.After his speech, Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza clarified that the process of formation of the committee was in final stages and would be completed in a few days.
The speaker said the National Assembly adopted a resolution and assigned her the responsibility to form the committee. “Being the custodian of the House, I am only facilitating the House and holding consultation with 15 parliamentary leaders of both the houses of parliament. There were some issues that have been settled and now the committee would be announced within the next few days,” she said.
Defending the budget, Minister for Privatisation Syed Naveed Qamar said a number of incentives had been proposed in the new budget for the alleviation of poverty and promotion of education and health sectors. He said as a result of wide-ranging steps taken by the government in the outgoing year, the economy was stabilised and trade deficit, budget deficit and current account deficit had narrowed down. He said the government had been able to reduce the inflation rate from 25 per cent to about 12 per cent and hopefully it would come down to single digit by December this year. Referring to the demand for the agriculture tax, the minister said under the Constitution the federal government could not impose this tax as it was the domain of provincial assemblies.
Global warming study: US has already started changing
A new government study of global warming confirms that climate change caused by carbon dioxide is already having a "visible impact" on the United States, and severe problems are on the way -- including longer droughts, more floods and an increase in pests like mosquitoes -- if global warming continues unchecked.
The report by the Global Change Research Project, a consortium of government agencies like the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, also directly links climate change to carbon dioxide generated by humans, and warns that severe environmental problems, from coastal flooding to a rise in diseases threatening the human food chain, will only get worse.
"This new report integrates the most up-to-date scientific findings into a comprehensive picture of the ongoing as well as expected future impacts of heat-trapping pollution on the climate experienced by Americans," said John P. Holdren, Assisstant to the President for Science and Technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
"It tells us why remedial action is needed sooner rather than later, as well as showing why that action must include both global emissions reductions to reduce the extent of climate change and local adaptation measures to reduce the damage from the changes that are no longer avoidable."
In light of the report, Representative Edward J. Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat and chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, announced he would hold a series of “impact hearings” on the conclusions the study has reached. The first hearing will be held this Thursday on the impacts of a warming world on America’s agriculture and forests
"This report reinforces the science, renews our dedication to forging a national solution, and relegates the last bastions of climate denial to the dustbin of history,” Markey said in a statement issued yesterday. “We waited for eight years to take any action on global warming, even as the evidence mounted. Our economy, our environment, and our planet can wait no longer."
According to the study, temperatures in the United States have already risen 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900, and the farming season now starts two weeks earlier. In addition, heavy downpours in the last 50 years have increased 67 percent in the Northeast and 31 percent in the Midwest, triggering record floods.
If climate change is not seriously addressed, according to the report, temperatures worldwide could increase 11 degrees Fahrenheit, with even greater overall increases in the United States, and heat waves will be more prolonged and intense. The higher temperatures will increase the number of pests like mosquitoes, weeds will grow faster, and diseases will threaten livestock and agriculture as well as human health.
At the same time, according to the report, droughts will last longer, competition for resources will increase and the nation's coastal area will be threatened due to rising sea levels and more powerful storm surges during hurricanes and other extremely violent weather. By the year 2100, the report predicts, Cape Canaveral and the Everglades, two Florida landmarks, could be completely submerged.
The answer, according to the report, is twofold: take immediate action to curb production of carbon dioxide and come up with ways to cope with -- or take advantage of -- the changes that will likely occur.
"Both of these are necessary elements of an effective response strategy," said Jerry Melillo of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., who co-chaired the report.
The report by the Global Change Research Project, a consortium of government agencies like the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, also directly links climate change to carbon dioxide generated by humans, and warns that severe environmental problems, from coastal flooding to a rise in diseases threatening the human food chain, will only get worse.
"This new report integrates the most up-to-date scientific findings into a comprehensive picture of the ongoing as well as expected future impacts of heat-trapping pollution on the climate experienced by Americans," said John P. Holdren, Assisstant to the President for Science and Technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
"It tells us why remedial action is needed sooner rather than later, as well as showing why that action must include both global emissions reductions to reduce the extent of climate change and local adaptation measures to reduce the damage from the changes that are no longer avoidable."
In light of the report, Representative Edward J. Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat and chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, announced he would hold a series of “impact hearings” on the conclusions the study has reached. The first hearing will be held this Thursday on the impacts of a warming world on America’s agriculture and forests
"This report reinforces the science, renews our dedication to forging a national solution, and relegates the last bastions of climate denial to the dustbin of history,” Markey said in a statement issued yesterday. “We waited for eight years to take any action on global warming, even as the evidence mounted. Our economy, our environment, and our planet can wait no longer."
According to the study, temperatures in the United States have already risen 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900, and the farming season now starts two weeks earlier. In addition, heavy downpours in the last 50 years have increased 67 percent in the Northeast and 31 percent in the Midwest, triggering record floods.
If climate change is not seriously addressed, according to the report, temperatures worldwide could increase 11 degrees Fahrenheit, with even greater overall increases in the United States, and heat waves will be more prolonged and intense. The higher temperatures will increase the number of pests like mosquitoes, weeds will grow faster, and diseases will threaten livestock and agriculture as well as human health.
At the same time, according to the report, droughts will last longer, competition for resources will increase and the nation's coastal area will be threatened due to rising sea levels and more powerful storm surges during hurricanes and other extremely violent weather. By the year 2100, the report predicts, Cape Canaveral and the Everglades, two Florida landmarks, could be completely submerged.
The answer, according to the report, is twofold: take immediate action to curb production of carbon dioxide and come up with ways to cope with -- or take advantage of -- the changes that will likely occur.
"Both of these are necessary elements of an effective response strategy," said Jerry Melillo of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., who co-chaired the report.
How Will Climate Change Affect Where You Live?
One of the interesting aspects of the administration’s climate change report released today is its emphasis on how global warming is affecting or is projected to touch every corner of the United States. A few location-specific details were mentioned in the press conference – how trout in the Northwest can’t thrive when air temperatures rise above 70 degrees F., for instance. But an online section offers more localized information: It divides the country into eight areas and lets you click on your region to see possible impacts.
After all, as long-time Monitor science reporter Bob Cowen pointed out in a column yesterday, adapting to climate change depends on site-specific knowledge.
Here’s some of what the “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States” report sees as already happening in various parts of the country and predicts will occur unless changes are made:
Alaska
– Longer summers and higher temperatures are causing drier conditions, even in the absence of strong trends in precipitation.
– Insect outbreaks and wildfires are increasing with warming.
– Lakes are declining in area.
– Thawing permafrost damages roads, runways, water and sewer systems, and other infrastructure.
– Coastal storms increase risks to villages and fishing fleets.
– Displacement of marine species will affect key fisheries.
Northwest
– Declining springtime snowpack leads to reduced summer streamflows, straining water supplies.
– Increased insect outbreaks, wildfires, and changing species composition in forests will pose challenges for ecosystems and the forest products industry.
– Salmon and other coldwater species will experience additional stresses as a result of rising water temperatures and declining summer streamflows.
– The projected reduction in snow cover will adversely affect winter recreation and the industries that rely upon it.
– Sea-level rise along vulnerable coastlines will result in increased erosion and the loss of land.
Southwest
– Water supplies will become increasingly scarce, calling for trade-offs among competing uses, and potentially leading to conflict.
– Increasing temperature, drought, wildfire, and invasive species will accelerate transformation of the landscape.
– Increased frequency and altered timing of flooding will increase risks to people, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
– Unique tourism and recreation opportunities are likely to suffer.
– Cities and agriculture face increasing risks from a changing climate
Great Plains
– Projected increases in temperature, evaporation, and drought frequency add to concerns about the region’s declining water resources.
– Agriculture, ranching, and natural lands, already under pressure due to an increasingly limited water supply, are very likely to also be stressed by rising temperatures.
– Climate change is likely to affect native plant and animal species by altering key habitats such as the wetland ecosystems known as prairie potholes or playa lakes.
– Ongoing shifts in the region’s population from rural areas to urban centers will interact with a changing climate, resulting in a variety of consequences
Midwest
– Projected increases in temperature, evaporation, and drought frequency add to concerns about the region’s declining water resources.
– Agriculture, ranching, and natural lands, already under pressure due to an increasingly limited water supply, are very likely to also be stressed by rising temperatures.
– Climate change is likely to affect native plant and animal species by altering key habitats such as the wetland ecosystems known as prairie potholes or playa lakes.
– Ongoing shifts in the region’s population from rural areas to urban centers will interact with a changing climate, resulting in a variety of consequences.
Northeast
– Extreme heat and declining air quality are likely to pose increasing problems for human health, especially in urban areas.
– Agricultural production, including dairy, fruit, and maple syrup, are likely to be adversely affected as favorable climates shift.
– Severe flooding due to sea-level rise and heavy downpours is likely to occur more frequently.
– The projected reduction in snow cover will adversely affect winter recreation and the industries that rely upon it.
– The center of lobster fisheries is projected to continue its northward shift and the cod fishery on Georges Bank is likely to be diminished.
Southeast
– Projected increases in air and water temperatures will cause heat-related stresses for people, plants, and animals.
– Decreased water availability is very likely to affect the region’s economy as well as its natural systems.
– Sea-level rise and the likely increase in hurricane intensity and associated storm surge will be among the most serious consequences of climate change.
– Ecological thresholds are likely to be crossed throughout the region, causing major disruptions to ecosystems and to the benefits they provide to people.
– Quality of life will be affected by increasing heat stress, water scarcity, severe weather events, and reduced availability of insurance for at-risk properties.
Islands (in the Pacific and the Caribbean)
– The availability of freshwater is likely to be reduced, with significant implications for island communities, economies, and resources.
– Island communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems are vulnerable to coastal inundation due to sea-level rise and coastal storms.
– Climate changes affecting coastal and marine ecosystems will have major implications for tourism and fisheries.
After all, as long-time Monitor science reporter Bob Cowen pointed out in a column yesterday, adapting to climate change depends on site-specific knowledge.
Here’s some of what the “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States” report sees as already happening in various parts of the country and predicts will occur unless changes are made:
Alaska
– Longer summers and higher temperatures are causing drier conditions, even in the absence of strong trends in precipitation.
– Insect outbreaks and wildfires are increasing with warming.
– Lakes are declining in area.
– Thawing permafrost damages roads, runways, water and sewer systems, and other infrastructure.
– Coastal storms increase risks to villages and fishing fleets.
– Displacement of marine species will affect key fisheries.
Northwest
– Declining springtime snowpack leads to reduced summer streamflows, straining water supplies.
– Increased insect outbreaks, wildfires, and changing species composition in forests will pose challenges for ecosystems and the forest products industry.
– Salmon and other coldwater species will experience additional stresses as a result of rising water temperatures and declining summer streamflows.
– The projected reduction in snow cover will adversely affect winter recreation and the industries that rely upon it.
– Sea-level rise along vulnerable coastlines will result in increased erosion and the loss of land.
Southwest
– Water supplies will become increasingly scarce, calling for trade-offs among competing uses, and potentially leading to conflict.
– Increasing temperature, drought, wildfire, and invasive species will accelerate transformation of the landscape.
– Increased frequency and altered timing of flooding will increase risks to people, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
– Unique tourism and recreation opportunities are likely to suffer.
– Cities and agriculture face increasing risks from a changing climate
Great Plains
– Projected increases in temperature, evaporation, and drought frequency add to concerns about the region’s declining water resources.
– Agriculture, ranching, and natural lands, already under pressure due to an increasingly limited water supply, are very likely to also be stressed by rising temperatures.
– Climate change is likely to affect native plant and animal species by altering key habitats such as the wetland ecosystems known as prairie potholes or playa lakes.
– Ongoing shifts in the region’s population from rural areas to urban centers will interact with a changing climate, resulting in a variety of consequences
Midwest
– Projected increases in temperature, evaporation, and drought frequency add to concerns about the region’s declining water resources.
– Agriculture, ranching, and natural lands, already under pressure due to an increasingly limited water supply, are very likely to also be stressed by rising temperatures.
– Climate change is likely to affect native plant and animal species by altering key habitats such as the wetland ecosystems known as prairie potholes or playa lakes.
– Ongoing shifts in the region’s population from rural areas to urban centers will interact with a changing climate, resulting in a variety of consequences.
Northeast
– Extreme heat and declining air quality are likely to pose increasing problems for human health, especially in urban areas.
– Agricultural production, including dairy, fruit, and maple syrup, are likely to be adversely affected as favorable climates shift.
– Severe flooding due to sea-level rise and heavy downpours is likely to occur more frequently.
– The projected reduction in snow cover will adversely affect winter recreation and the industries that rely upon it.
– The center of lobster fisheries is projected to continue its northward shift and the cod fishery on Georges Bank is likely to be diminished.
Southeast
– Projected increases in air and water temperatures will cause heat-related stresses for people, plants, and animals.
– Decreased water availability is very likely to affect the region’s economy as well as its natural systems.
– Sea-level rise and the likely increase in hurricane intensity and associated storm surge will be among the most serious consequences of climate change.
– Ecological thresholds are likely to be crossed throughout the region, causing major disruptions to ecosystems and to the benefits they provide to people.
– Quality of life will be affected by increasing heat stress, water scarcity, severe weather events, and reduced availability of insurance for at-risk properties.
Islands (in the Pacific and the Caribbean)
– The availability of freshwater is likely to be reduced, with significant implications for island communities, economies, and resources.
– Island communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems are vulnerable to coastal inundation due to sea-level rise and coastal storms.
– Climate changes affecting coastal and marine ecosystems will have major implications for tourism and fisheries.
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