Boston, MA—Temperatures
across Massachusetts were unusually warm in 2006, according to a new report
released today by Environment Massachusetts. The average temperature in
Boston’s Logan International Airport was 1.8°F above average in 2006, while
average temperatures at Worcester’s Regional Airport reached 3.1°F degrees
above normal. Environment Massachusetts said this warmer-than-normal weather is
indicative of what Massachusetts can expect with continued global warming.
“Throw out the record
books, because global warming is raising temperatures in Massachusetts and
across the country,” said Environment Massachusetts Director Frank Gorke. “The
long-term forecast is for more of the same unless we quickly and significantly
reduce global warming pollution from power plants and passenger vehicles,” he
continued.
According to the National
Climatic Data Center, the 2006 summer and 2006 overall were the second warmest
on record for the lower 48 states. Currently, 2007 is on track to be the second
warmest year on record globally.
To examine recent
temperature patterns in the United States, Environment Massachusetts 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
Massachusetts include:
•
In 2006, the
average temperature was 1.8°F above normal at Boston’s Logan International
Airport and 3.1°F above normal at Worcester Regional Airport. Nationally, the
average 2006 temperature was at least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the
locations studied.
•
In 2006,
Boston experienced average maximum temperatures — the highest temperatures
recorded on a given day — of 1.2°F above normal, and over the course of the
2006 summer, Worcester’s maximum temperatures averaged 0.4°F above normal.
Moreover, last summer the observatory on Blue Hill in Milton recorded 8 days
where the temperature hit at least 90°F, 3 days more than the historical
average. Heat waves have serious implications for human health, causing heat
stroke, heat exhaustion, and even death.
•
Worcester
experienced average minimum temperatures — the lowest temperatures recorded on
a given day, usually at night — of 3.7°F above normal in 2006 and 3.0°F above
normal during the 2006 summer. 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.
In April 2007, the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that North America could
experience significant water stress, forest fires, and “an increased number,
intensity, and duration of heat waves” as temperatures continue to rise.
Then
in July, the Union of Concerned Scientists predicted that Massachusetts could
face rising temperatures, increased precipitation and drought, sea-level rise,
coastal flooding, and shoreline change as a result of global warming. Their New
England Climate Impacts Assessment report foresees negative impacts on human
health from extreme heat and lower air quality, and also detrimental effects on
agriculture, forests, winter recreation, and cod and lobster fisheries.
Paul
R. Epstein, Associate Director of Harvard Medical School’s Center for Health
and the Global Environment, emphasized the importance of “taking concrete
action to reduce harmful emissions.”
“Scientists are sounding
alarm bells about the impacts of continued global warming,” stated Gorke. “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,”
he continued.
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.
“The better news is that
we have the technology at our fingertips to cut global warming pollution and
forge a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Gorke.
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. “Congress
can take action next week by passing H.R. 969, the Renewable Electricity
Standard,” added Gorke.
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.
“The heat is on Congress
to take decisive action to curb global warming,” stated Gorke. “Environment
Massachusetts commends Representative Markey for co-sponsoring the Safe Climate
Act. He cannot settle for less,” he concluded.
Environment Massachusetts
is working across the state to educate citizens about the dangers of global
warming. The
organization is calling on citizens and Massachusetts lawmakers to support and
pass Senate Bill 534 (The Global Warming Solutions Act; Marc R. Pacheco,
D–First Plymouth and Bristol), which would cut the emissions that cause global
warming 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Expert scientists have warned that only
emissions reductions of these magnitudes will ensure that we avert the worst
effects of global warming.
###
Environment Massachusetts is the new
home of MASSPIRG’s environmental work
