Ohio —As the presidential candidates prepare to discuss some of the most important issues facing our country at their final debate tonight, Environment Ohio released a new report documenting that the average temperatures across Ohio in 2007 were up at least 1°F above the historical average. The year 2007 tied for the second warmest year on record globally and was the 10th warmest year on record in the United States. These record temperatures are part of a trend toward rising temperatures resulting from global warming.
“Throw out the record books because global warming is raising temperatures in Ohio and across the country,” said Amy Gomberg the Program Director with Environment Ohio. “While one or two degrees may not seem like much, just as any parent with a sick child knows, even a small rise in temperature can have a big effect,” she continued.
According to NASA, seven of the eight warmest years on record globally have occurred since 2001. These above-average temperatures led Environment Ohio to more closely examine recent temperature trends at the local level.
“Feeling the Heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures in the United States” compares government temperature data for the years 2000-2007 with the historical average, or “normal,” temperature for the preceding 30 years, 1971-2000. Our data were collected at 255 weather stations – those with the highest quality data – in all 50 states and Washington, DC.
Key findings for Ohio include:
• In 2007, the average temperature was 2.1°F above normal in Columbus and Cincinnati, 1.9°F above normal in Mansfield, 1.8°F above normal in Dayton, 1.7°F above normal in Cleveland, 1.5°F above normal in Toledo, and Youngstown and 1.2°F above normal in Akron. (See Appendix A)
• In 2007, Dayton experienced average maximum temperatures — the highest temperatures recorded on a given day — of 2.0°F above normal. (See Appendix B)
• Over the course of 2007, Cincinnati experienced 54 days where the temperature hit at least 90°F, which is 35 days more than the historical average. Extreme heat can have serious implications for human health, causing heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and even death. (See Appendix C)
• Cleveland experienced average minimum temperatures — the lowest temperatures recorded on a given day, usually at night — of 1.5°F above normal in 2007. Warmer nighttime summer temperatures exacerbate the public health effects of extreme heat, since people need cooler nighttime temperatures to recover from excessive heat exposure during the day. (See Appendix D).
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – the prestigious United Nations body that won a Nobel Prize last year for its work – has concluded the evidence of global warming is “unequivocal” and that human activities are responsible for most of the increase in global average temperatures. Burning fossil fuels to power cars, homes, and industry produces most U.S. global warming emissions.
A recent Bush administration report said “it is very likely” that more people will die in the United States during extremely hot periods in the future. In addition, the report identified degraded air quality, heat waves, drought, and extreme rainfall with flooding, as particular risks for the Midwest.
"Rising temperatures are causing real changes that are affecting many Ohioans," stated Jim Wentz with the League of Ohio Sportsmen. "For example, ice storms have become more frequent in my neighborhood over the last five years, and we have had extensive damage to our home. On the other hand, I see less ice on our local lakes and ponds. In the past, I would go ice fishing four or five times a year, but with Ohio’s frequent warm spells, safe ice doesn't last very long, if at all."
Energy issues have featured prominently in both presidential and vice-presidential debates this election season.
“We’re at a crossroads on energy, and it’s up to the next President to choose a new path that confronts climate change and helps recharge our struggling economy,” said Tracy Sabetta with the National Wildlife Federation. “It’s clear that our energy crisis isn’t just hurting us at the pump, but it’s also causing Ohioans to feel the heat. The good news is that repowering America with wind and solar power will curb global warming pollution, and clean, renewable energy is one of the few bright spots in our troubled economy,” she continued.
According to the latest climate science, the United States and the world must break its dependence on fossil fuels and transition rapidly to 100 percent clean, renewable energy if we hope to avoid the most catastrophic effects of global warming.
Specifically, the United States must reduce its global warming emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050 and make energy efficiency improvements and the accelerated development of renewable energy the centerpiece of our environmental and economic development policies.
Recently, more than 150 members of Congress, including Representatives Sutton, Ryan, and Kucinich, endorsed strong principles for action on energy and global warming. Environment America urged that those principles be the blueprint for action for the next President and Congress.
“We commend Representatives Ryan, Sutton and Kucinich for their leadership on this critical issue. And we urge them to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act (H.R. 1590), strong science-based legislation that would put the United States on track to solving global warming,” concluded Marnie Urso with Audubon Ohio.
Click here to read the full report.
Click here for Ohio "Feeling the Heat" appendices.
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Environment Ohio is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.
