Northampton, MA—Scientists have said for years that global
warming was “loading the dice” when it comes to increasing the frequency of
severe storms, and a new Environment Massachusetts report makes it clear that
the New England region is already experiencing extreme downpours and heavy
snowstorms much more frequently. Specifically, the new report found that storms
with heavy rain- or snowfall are now 61%percent more frequent in the New England
region they were 60 years ago.
“At the rate we’re going, what was once the storm of the
decade will soon seem like just another downpour,” said Winston Vaughan, Field
Organizer for Environment Massachusetts
Vaughan pointed to the floods in Peabody in May of 2006 as
an illustration of what more extreme rain- and snowstorms could mean for the
region. That storm, which dumped 8.01 inches of rain on the area, led to
millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure and property.
“More frequent downpours, fueled by global warming, will
leave Massachusetts even more vulnerable to dangerous flooding in years to
come,” said Vaughan.
The new Environment Massachusetts report, When it
Rains, It Pours: Global Warming and the Rising Frequency of Extreme
Precipitation in the United States, examines trends in the frequency of
large rain and snow events across the continental United States from 1948 to
2006. Using data from 3,000 weather stations and a methodology originally
developed by scientists at the National Climatic Data Center and the Illinois
State Water Survey, the report identifies storms with the greatest 24-hour
precipitation totals at each weather station, and analyzes when those storms
occurred.
Nationally, the report shows that storms with extreme
precipitation have increased in frequency by 24 percent across the continental
United States since 1948. At the state level, 40 states show a significant
trend toward more frequent storms with extreme precipitation, while only one
state (Oregon) shows a significant decline.
Key findings for the New England region and Massachusetts
include:
Storms with extreme precipitation increased in frequency by
61% percent in New England from 1948 to 2006. New England ranks 1st
nationwide for the largest increase in the frequency of storms with heavy
precipitation.
Massachusetts experienced a 67% percent increase in extreme
rain- and snowstorms during the period studied
In addition, Springfield shows a significant increase in
the frequency of large storms with heavy precipitation, roughly estimated to be
a 56% percent increase over the nearly 60-year period.
These findings are consistent with the predicted impacts of
global warming. Scientists expect some parts of the United States to receive
more precipitation as a result of global warming, while other parts receive
less. But regardless of the trend in total precipitation, scientists predict
that the rain and snow that does fall will be more likely to come in big
downpours and heavy snowstorms.
Environment Massachusetts was joined by Senator Stan
Rosenberg (D-Amherst) and student activists at a press event to release today’s
report.
“People on all sides of an issue can argue all day long
about cause and effect,” State Senator Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) said. “But
what should not be in dispute is the fact that we need to start taking better
care of the planet, and we need to start taking dramatic action to address
global warming now.”
“Global warming is the greatest challenge of our
generation” Said Caroline Henderson, a Smith College Freshman and MASSPIRG
student volunteer. “Students are taking steps on their campuses to meet this
challenge but we need out leaders on Beacon Hill and in Washington DC to act
too. We applaud Senator Rosenberg’s strong words today and hope he will inspire
other state leaders to act quickly.”
Vaughan was careful to note that an increase in the
frequency of extreme rainstorms does not mean more water will be available.
Scientists expect that, as global warming intensifies, longer periods of
relative dryness will mark the periods between extreme rainstorms, increasing
the risk of drought. For example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) predicts that, under a scenario of intense warming, the percent of land
enduring severe drought globally could be 30 times greater by the end of the
century than it is today.
“How serious this problem gets is largely within our
control – but only if Massachusetts and the rest of the country act boldly to
reduce the pollution that fuels global warming,” said Vaughan.
According to the most recent science, the United States
must reduce its total global warming emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020
and by at least 80 percent by 2050 in order to prevent the worst effects of
global warming.
“Steep reductions in global warming pollution are
challenging but achievable,” noted Vaughan, “and we already have the energy
efficiency and renewable energy technologies we need to get
started.”
He added “We applaud Senator Rosenberg for his support of
strong action on the state level to reduce global warming pollution. Bold state
actions will be necessary to achieve the emissions reductions scientists say we
need to avoid the worst effects of global warming.”
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Environment Massachusetts is a statewide, citizen-based environmental
advocacy organization. Our professional staff combines independent research,
practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful
special interests and win real results for Massachusetts' environment.
Environment Massachusetts draws on 30 years of success in tackling our state's
top environmental problems.
