Climate Change Attorney Blog

The United States Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) issued a report today listing 24 indicators of the effects of climate change on the U.S. and its citizens. The report contains a number of significant findings including:

"• Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are increasing. Between 1990 and 2008, there has been about a 14 percent increase in emissions in the United States.
• Average temperatures are rising. Seven of the top 10 warmest years on record for the continental United States have occurred since 1990.
• Tropical cyclone intensity has increased in recent decades. Six of the 10 most active hurricane seasons have occurred since the mid-1990s.
• Sea levels are rising. From 1993 to 2008, sea level rose twice as fast as the long-term trend.
• Glaciers are melting. Loss of glacier volume appears to have accelerated over the last decade.
• The frequency of heat waves has risen steadily since the 1960s. The percentage of the U.S. population impacted by heat waves has also increased."

-Steven Silverberg

The Geological Society of America issued a revised position statement on climate change noting the need to address the significant contribution of GHGs to global warming. The statement states that its purpose is to: "(1) summarizes the strengthened basis for the conclusion that humans are a major factor responsible for recent global warming; (2) describes the large effects on humans and ecosystems if greenhouse‐gas concentrations and global climate reach projected levels; and (3) provides information for policy decisions guiding mitigation and adaptation strategies designed to address the future impacts of anthropogenic warming."

The projections contained in the statement present a sobering picture of the future if action is not taken. "If greenhouse‐gas emissions follow the current trajectory, by 2100 atmospheric CO2 concentrations will reach two to four times pre‐industrial levels, for a total warming of less than 2 C to more than 5 C compared to 1850. This range of changes in greenhouse gas concentrations and temperature would substantially alter the functioning of the planet in many ways. The projected changes involve risk to humans and other species: (1) continued shrinking of Arctic sea ice with effects on native cultures and ice‐dependent biota; (2) less snow accumulation and earlier melt in mountains, with reductions in spring and summer runoff for agricultural and municipal water; (3) disappearance of mountain glaciers and their late summer
runoff; (4) increased evaporation from farmland soils and stress on crops; (5) greater soil erosion due to increases in heavy convective summer rainfall; (6) longer fire seasons and increases in fire frequency; (7) severe insect outbreaks in vulnerable forests; (8) acidification of the global ocean; and (9) fundamental changes in the composition, functioning, and biodiversity of many terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In addition, melting of Greenland and West Antarctic ice (still highly uncertain as to amount), along with thermal expansion of seawater and melting of mountain glaciers and small ice caps, will cause substantial future sea‐level rise along densely populated coastal regions, inundating farmland and dislocating large
populations."

-Steven Silverberg

New Rochelle New York has scheduled a hearing on its proposed "GreeNR" Sustainabilty Plan. The Plan, developed over the last year, proposes a series of short term, medium term and long term goals.

Among the highlights of the Plan are a series of goals for the year 2030 listed in a press release as:

"• Reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%.
• Cut non-recycled solid waste generation by 15%.
• Preserve natural spaces and restore inland water bodies.
• Absorb or retain 25 million gallons of flood water per storm.
• Decrease sewage flow by at least 2 million gallons in peak hours.
• Build at least 95% of new housing near mass transit.
• Open at least one additional mile of the Sound shore to the public.
• Plant at least 10,000 new trees on public property.
• Create a comprehensive walking and bicycling system.
• Subscribe at least half of all households to the City website."

-Steven Silverberg

In a report released this week, it was noted that climate change is resulting in the disappearance of glaciers in Glacier National Park. Included in the information released is a profile from the U.S. Geological Survey, which concluded that 12 of the 37 named glaciers in the Park are now so small they are no longer considered glaciers.

The release concludes:

"the last decade in Glacier National Park saw exactly double the temperature increase for the planet as a whole. The effects of this warming threaten Glacier National Park’s resources, from glaciers and snow-capped mountains to wildlife and forests, as well as the Montana jobs and tourism revenue the park generates."

-Steven Silverberg