Global Warming News

Columbus, Ohio— Temperatures are rising in Ohio’s cities according to a new report released today by Environment Ohio.  Environment Ohio said this warmer-than-normal weather and droughts are indicative of what Ohio is likely to experience with continued global warming.

“Ohio is the fourth largest contributor of carbon emissions in the nation and we are experiencing the impacts today,” said Environment Ohio Advocate, Amy Gomberg.  “We urge Governor Strickland and Ohio’s legislators to reduce Ohio’s carbon emissions.  First and foremost Ohio should diversify its electricity mix by requiring that a certain percentage of Ohio’s energy come from clean, renewable sources such as wind energy,” continued Gomberg.

According to the National Climatic Data Center, the summer of 2006 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.   

In April 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that North America could experience significant water stress, droughts, and “an increased number, intensity, and duration of heat waves” as temperatures continue to rise. 

Two of Ohio’s own scientists are leading global warming researchers. Dr. Ellen Mosley-Thompson, and Dr. Lonnie Thompson both work at the Ohio State University as professors and researchers in the Byrd Polar Research Center.

“Our understanding of the climate system has advanced rapidly in the last few decades and the most important drivers of the observed changes are known” stated Dr. Ellen Mosley Thompson. “Further delay in charting a feasible and affordable course of action to reduce emissions is irresponsible.”

“I don’t think anyone can say it much better than Arnold Schwartzenegger ‘I say the debate is over:  We know the science, we see the threat and we know the time for action is now’ It is simple but gets the points across,” stated Dr. Thompson.  Later this week Dr. Lonnie Thompson will receive a national award from President Bush for his outstanding research in the field of global warming.

“Scientists are sounding alarm bells about the impacts of continued global warming,” stated Gomberg.  “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,” continued Gomberg. 

At the national level, 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% by 2020, and slash emissions by at least 80% by 2050. 

“At the state level, we have the renewable energy potential and the technology at our fingertips to cut global warming pollution,” stated Gomberg. “A renewable energy standard would reduce carbon emissions as well as create jobs and boost Ohio’s economy.” said Gomberg.”

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. 

“Ohio has the technological know-how, the strong manufacturing base, and the renewable energy potential to get at least 20 percent of our energy from renewable energy resources.  Ohio’s wind energy potential alone could generate over 10-20% of our electricity needs,” said Gomberg.

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. 

“Environment Ohio applauds Congresswoman Tubbs Jones and Congressman Kucinich for signing on to the Safe Climate Act. We hope that other members of the Ohio congressional delegation step up to stop global warming, too,” stated Gomberg.

Ohio’s state leaders also can take steps to reduce global warming pollution on the state level. Representative McGregor (R-Franklin) plans to introduce a renewable energy standard for Ohio this fall.

“There is broad based support for developing Ohio’s renewable energy resources, and we look forward to working with Representative McGregor, our other legislative leaders, and Governor Strickland to pass a renewable energy standard of 20% renewable energy by 2020.” concluded Gomberg. 

See key findings of the report below.

The Full Report is available here, at EnvironmentOhio.com.

Environment Ohio is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.

KEY FINDINGS

To examine recent temperature patterns in the United States, Environment Ohio 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 Ohio include:

Akron:

In 2006, the average temperature was 2.0°F above the 30-year average in Akron.  Nationally, the average 2006 temperature was at least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations studied (Appendix C).

Cleveland:

Cleveland experienced average minimum temperatures — the lowest temperatures recorded on a given day, usually at night — of 2.8 °F above normal in 2006 and 2.9°F above normal in 2006.  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. (Appendix E).

Columbus:

In 2006, the average temperature was 2.0°F above the 30-year average in Columbus.  Nationally, the average 2006 temperature was at least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations studied.  (Appendix C).

Cincinnati:

Over the course of 2006, Cincinnati experienced 25 days where the temperature hit at least 90°F, 6 days more than the historical average.  Heat waves have serious implications for human health, causing heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and even death.  (Appendix B).

Dayton:

In 2006, the average temperature was 1.8°F above the 30-year average in Dayton.  Nationally, the average 2006 temperature was at least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations studied (Appendix C).

Mansfield:

In 2006, the average temperature was 2.6°F above the 30-year average in Mansfield.  The average minimum temperature was 3.2°F above normal in 2006 (Appendix C).

Toledo:

In 2006, the average temperature was 2.9°F above the 30-year average in Toledo (Appendix C). The average minimum temperature in 2006, was 2.6°F above the 30-year average in Toledo, as well (Appendix E).

Excerpt from Appendix C:

Excerpt from Appendix E:

Excerpt from Appendix D:

Contact Information for the Data Presented:

Amy Gomberg
Environment Ohio - Environmental Advocate
614.460.8732

agomberg@EnvironmentOhio.org

www.EnvironmentOhio.org 

Contact Information for The Ohio State University Speakers:

Lonnie Thompson
Professor of Geological Sciences and Senior Research Scientist with the Byrd Polar
Research Center, The Ohio Sate University
Tel: 614-292-6531
thompson.3@osu.edu

Dr. Thompson is a contributing author to the IPCC Assessment Report.

Ellen Mosley Thompson
Professor of Geography, The Ohio State University
Thompson.4@osu.edu
614-292-6662