Green Jersey

Report stresses need for urgent action on climate change

by William Owen

A federal report last week outlined the effects of climate change and the need to act quickly to slow its progress.

The report, the first major climate report from the Obama administration, concluded the effects of global warming — including rising temperatures, heavier storms, stronger heat waves, retreating glaciers, rising sea levels, earlier snowmelt, and changes in river flows and growing seasons — will likely grow. (Go to the jump for some of the changes projected for the Northeast.)

According to the report, efforts going forward to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are needed to limit the severity of the changes, but some changes have already been recorded and will continue to develop — meaning action is needed both globally and locally.

There were frightening facts contained within its nearly 200 pages, including a sea level rise of 3 to 4 feet by the end of the century, due to melting glaciers, that could put some coastal communities under water if emissions levels remain constant or increase.

Since 1970, the average temperature in the Northeast has increased by 2 degrees, with winter temperatures rising twice that much.

By late this century, according to the New Jersey fact sheet drawn from the report:

– Winters in the Northeast are projected to be shorter with fewer cold days and more precipitation

– Cities could experience more days above 100 degrees

– Short-term droughts could occur as frequently as once a summer across New England states

– Hot summer conditions would arrive sooner and last well into the fall

– Sea level would rise about 2 feet or more

Droughts and longer growing seasons will tax the soil, reducing the health of plants and lowering crop yields, affecting the supply chains of growers, grocers, and consumers.

Of the most common household items facing significant challenges: Apples.

Apples may become more expensive and scarce as global climate change takes place. Increased winter temperatures will affect apple tress, which need at least 400 cumulative hours below 45 degrees in order to produce sufficient yields. This will force apple production to shift northward, to more sufficient climates, increasing the need to ship the products further, again affecting their cost and availability.

Cranberries, blueberries, maple syrup, and perhaps most importantly milk, are all at risk of significant impact to production as well. The cost of the projected impact of a 20 percent reduction to milk production would mean a $720 million loss for the Northeastern U.S.

The report spells out clearly the monetary threats posed by climate change. Industries from skiing to fishing to real estate all face significant loses, to say nothing of the overall threat to human lives and the environment.

It should serve as the springboard for a multifaceted approach to control emissions, increase energy efficiency and promote adaptive measures to cope with the whatever changes are now inevitable.