Island Press today published a report detailing the most comprehensive look to date at the effects of climate change on the Southeastern U.S.<\/p>\n
The report, “Climate of the Southeast United States:\u00a0Variability, Change, Impacts\u00a0and Vulnerability,” was unveiled by the principal authors and editors who represent states across the region. On a conference call with reporters, they outlined the projected effects of climate change for the region\u2019s water supply, agricultural sector, winter and summer temperatures, human health and extreme weather.<\/p>\n
The report\u2019s core finding is that climate\u00a0variability is already affecting the Southeastern U.S., and a changing climate is projected to increasingly affect the region in the next 20 years and beyond.<\/p>\n
Specific findings include:<\/p>\n
The report reviewed data from Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.<\/p>\n
The report represented the culmination of years of work by over 100 contributing peer-reviewed experts as part of the federal National Climate Assessment process. Copies of the report are available upon request.<\/p>\n
Participating in the news conference were:<\/p>\n
Quotes from Chip Konrad (Heat Waves & Human Health):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe report makes clear that climate change is projected to mean more hot days, longer heat waves and shorter winters in the Southeast, which has had cool and warm periods since the late 19th<\/sup> century. However, since the 1970\u2019s temperatures have steadily increased, with the most recent decade (2001 to 2010) noted as the warmest on record.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAverage annual temperatures are projected to increase across most of the Southeast through the 21st century, and the interior of the region is projected to warm by as much as 9\u00b0F.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCold days are projected to get less frequent and the freeze-free season is projected to lengthen by up to a month. Daily minimum temperatures below 10\u00b0F are expected to decrease in frequency by as much as 10 days per year by the mid-21st century. The length of the freeze-free season is projected to increase by as much as 30 days in the mid-21st century.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaximum temperatures exceeding 95\u00b0F are expected to increase across the Southeast, with the greatest increases (35 additional days annually) found across the southern half\u2028of Florida by the mid-21st century. The number of consecutive days exceeding 95\u00b0F, a metric used as a measure of heat waves, is expected to increase by between 97% and 234% through the end of the century.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe report says climate change is projected to exacerbate air quality problems and damage human health. Atmospheric conditions that promote poor air quality \u2014 such as increased temperatures, reduced precipitation, increased air stagnation, and decreased atmospheric ventilation \u2014 are expected to become more frequent across the southern US by the mid-21st century.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClimate change may also be causing the earlier onset of the spring pollen season. The report finds it is reasonable to expect that allergies and other respiratory illnesses related to airborne pollens will continue to increase.\u201d<\/p>\n Report methodology:<\/strong><\/p>\n The report is based on a technical report to the National Climate Assessment, a Congressionally-mandated analysis and the most comprehensive nationwide look at the effects of climate change.<\/p>\n The report brings together a range of existing research and was produced through collaboration among three NOAA-funded Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments Centers (RISAs) \u2013 the Southeast Climate Consortium, the Carolinas Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments and the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program, along with contributions from numerous local, state, federal, and non-governmental individuals and agencies.<\/p>\n