Read the Report.
Madison—The average
temperature in Madison
was 2.6 degrees F above average in 2006, according to a new report released
today by Wisconsin Environment. Wisconsin
Environment said this warmer-than-normal weather is indicative of what Wisconsin can expect
with continued global warming.
“Throw
out the record books, because global warming is raising temperatures in Wisconsin and across the
country,” said Thomas Pitcher, Campaign Coordinator for Wisconsin Environment. “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,” continued Pitcher.
According
to the National Climatic Data
Center, the 2006 summer
and 2006 overall were the second warmest on record for the lower 48 states. 2007 is on track to be the second warmest
year on record globally.
To examine
recent temperature patterns in the United States,
Wisconsin Environment 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 Wisconsin
include:
•
In
2006, the average temperature was 2.6°F above normal in Madison.
Nationally, the average 2006 temperature was at least 0.5°F above normal
at 87% of the locations studied.
•
In
2006, Madison
experienced average maximum temperatures — the highest temperatures recorded on
a given day — of 2°F above normal. During the summer, average maximum
temperatures were 0.9°F above normal.
•
Madison’s above-average temperatures in
2006 are part of a broader warming trend since 2000. Between 2000 and 2006, the average
temperature was 1.6°F above the 30-year average in Madison.
Nationally, the average temperature during this seven year period was at
least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations studied.
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. “Wisconsin dairy farmers have also suffered from and
increased risk of heat stress on their cows” Pitcher stated, “a study in the
Journal of Dairy Science estimated that dairy farmers already lose $60 million
dollars a year from heat stress.”
“Scientists
are sounding alarm bells about the impacts of continued global warming,” stated
Pitcher. “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,” continued Pitcher.
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 Pitcher.
Wisconsin 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.
The state
Legislature is poised to consider global warming legislation this fall. The Wisconsin Safe Climate Act would reduce
pollution to levels that scientists say are needed to prevent the worst effects
of global warming.
“The heat
is on the Legislature to take decisive action to curb global warming,” stated
Pitcher. “Wisconsin Environment calls on
members of the Legislature to support the Safe Climate Act and hold a timely
vote in the state Senate.”
Wisconsin
Environment looks forward to working with members of the state Legislature and
the Governor’s office for global warming solutions.
###
Wisconsin Environment is a statewide,
non-partisan, non-profit environmental advocacy organization and is the new
home of WISPIRG’s environmental work.
