New Report: Maryland is getting hotter

“Because of our increasing levels of global warming pollution, temperatures will almost certainly continue to rise,” said Environment Maryland State Director Brad Heavner. “We must quickly and significantly reduce global warming pollution to keep temperatures below catastrophic levels.”

To examine how these recent temperature patterns compare with temperatures over the last 30 years, Environment Maryland researchers analyzed temperature data from 255 major weather stations in all 50 states and Washington, DC for the years 2000-2005 and the first six months of 2006. This recent data was compared to “normal” temperatures for the three decades spanning 1971-2000. Key findings include:

• Nationally, between 2000 and 2005, the average temperature was above normal at 95% of the locations, indicating widespread warming. In addition, nights are getting warmer; the average minimum (nighttime low) temperature was above normal at 92% of the locations examined.

• In Baltimore, between 2000 and 2005, the average minimum (nighttime low) temperature was 1.2° F above normal. 

“Two or three degrees may not seem like much, but just like in people, a small, relatively rapid temperature rise can have serious consequences,” continued Heavner.  

Numerous studies have shown that sea levels are already on the rise, ice and snow cover are declining, and hurricanes are becoming more powerful. In Maryland, global warming will have severe impacts.
〈         Rising sea levels, combined with sinking land, have swallowed 13 islands in the Chesapeake Bay and consume 260 acres of land in Maryland each year.
〈         Scientists predict precipitation will increase by 20 percent this century, largely from major storm activity.
〈         Heat waves will be more frequent and severe, which will increase deaths and illnesses from extreme heat.
〈         Droughts will be more frequent and extreme, as warmer temperatures evaporate moisture in the soil more quickly.

To avoid the worst consequences of global warming, the U.S. must stabilize global warming emissions within the next decade, begin reducing them soon thereafter, and cut emissions by 80% by the middle of this century. 

“The good news is that we already have the tools to substantially reduce global warming pollution. We just have to put the solutions to work,” said Heavner.

In August, Environment Maryland released a report showing how the U.S. could cut global warming pollution by nearly 20% by 2020 by making our homes, cars, and businesses more efficient, switching to renewable energy sources, and giving Americans more alternatives to driving, paired with strong, mandatory limits on global warming emissions. 

“These are win-win solutions because they also will improve America’s long-term economy and energy security by reducing U.S. dependence on oil and other fossil fuels,” stated Heavner.

This summer Rep. Henry Waxman of California introduced legislation, called the Safe Climate Act (H.R. 5642), to harness clean energy solutions and reduce U.S. global warming emissions by 15% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. Sen. Jim Jeffords introduced a similar measure in the Senate.

Among the Maryland congressional delegation, Sen. Sarbanes is a co-sponsor of the Senate bill and Reps. Cardin, Cummings, Van Hollen and Wynn are co-sponsors of the House bill. Environment Maryland is calling on Sen. Mikulski and Reps. Bartlett, Gilchrest, Hoyer, and Ruppersburger to join their colleagues in co-sponsoring this legislation.