|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
 Climate Change Indicators: Weather
and Climate
Rising global average temperature is associated with
widespread changes in weather patterns. Scientific studies
indicate that extreme weather events such as heat waves and
large storms are likely to become more frequent or more
intense with human-induced climate change. This chapter
focuses on observed changes in temperature, precipitation,
storms, floods, and droughts. |
|
U.S. and Global Temperature
Average temperatures have risen across the contiguous 48
states since 1901, with an increased rate of warming over
the past 30 years. Eight of the top 10 warmest years on
record have occurred since 1998. Average global temperatures
show a similar trend, and all of the top 10 warmest years on
record worldwide have occurred since 1998. Within the United
States, temperatures in parts of the North, the West, and
Alaska have increased the most.
Long-term changes in climate can directly or indirectly
affect many aspects of society in potentially disruptive
ways. For example, warmer average temperatures could
increase air conditioning costs and affect the spread of
diseases like Lyme disease, but could also improve
conditions for growing some crops. More extreme variations
in weather are also a threat to society. More frequent and
intense extreme heat events can increase illnesses and
deaths, especially among vulnerable populations, and damage
some crops. While increased precipitation can replenish
water supplies and support agriculture, intense storms can
damage property, cause loss of life and population
displacement, and temporarily disrupt essential services
such as transportation, telecommunications, energy, and
water supplies. |
|
|
Summary of Key Points |
 U.S.
and Global Temperature - Average temperatures have risen
across the contiguous 48 states since 1901, with an
increased rate of warming over the past 30 years. Eight of
the top 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 1998.
Average global temperatures show a similar trend, and all of
the top 10 warmest years on record worldwide have occurred
since 1998. Within the United States, temperatures in parts
of the North, the West, and Alaska have increased the most. |
 High
and Low Temperatures - Many extreme temperature conditions
are becoming more common. Since the 1970s, unusually hot
summer days (highs) have become more common over the last
few decades in the United States. Unusually hot summer
nights (lows) have become more common at an even faster
rate. This trend indicates less “cooling off” at night.
Although the United States has experienced many winters with
unusually low temperatures, unusually cold winter
temperatures have become less common—particularly very cold
nights (lows). Record-setting daily high temperatures have
become more common than record lows. The decade from 2000 to
2009 had twice as many record highs as record lows. |
 U.S.
and Global Precipitation - Total annual precipitation has
increased over land areas in the United States and
worldwide. Since 1901, precipitation has increased at an
average rate of 0.08 inches per decade over land areas
worldwide. However, shifting weather patterns have caused
certain areas, such as the Southwest, to experience less
precipitation than usual. |
 Heavy
Precipitation - In recent years, a higher percentage of
precipitation in the United States has come in the form of
intense single-day events. The prevalence of extreme
single-day precipitation events remained fairly steady
between 1910 and the 1980s but has risen substantially since
then. Nationwide, nine of the top 10 years for extreme
one-day precipitation events have occurred since 1990. The
occurrence of abnormally high annual precipitation totals
(as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration) has also increased. |
 Tropical
Cyclone Activity - Tropical storm activity in the Atlantic
Ocean, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico has increased
during the past 20 years. Storm intensity is closely related
to variations in sea surface temperature in the tropical
Atlantic. However, changes in observation methods over time
make it difficult to know for sure whether a longer-term
increase in storm activity has occurred. Records collected
since the late 1800s suggest that the actual number of
hurricanes per year has not increased. |
 River
Flooding - Increases and decreases in the frequency and
magnitude of river flood events vary by region. Floods have
generally become larger across parts of the Northeast and
Midwest and smaller in the West, southern Appalachia, and
northern Michigan. Large floods have become more frequent
across the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and parts of the
northern Great Plains, and less frequent in the Southwest
and the Rockies. |
 Drought
-
Average drought conditions across the nation have varied
since records began in 1895. The 1930s and 1950s saw the
most widespread droughts, while the last 50 years have
generally been wetter than average. However, specific trends
vary by region. A more detailed index developed recently
shows that over the period from 2000 through 2015, roughly
20 to 70 percent of the U.S. land area experienced
conditions that were at least abnormally dry at any given
time. However, this index has not been in use for long
enough to compare with historical drought patterns. |
 A
Closer Look: Temperature and Drought in the Southwest - The
southwestern United States is particularly sensitive to
changes in temperature and thus vulnerable to drought, as
even a small decrease in water availability in this already
arid region can stress natural systems and further threaten
water supplies. |
|
|
EPA Page |
|
This is the
EPA page for this topic. To see if the Trump
administration has changed the EPA page, simply click the
link and compare the information with this page. If you
notice changes were made to the EPA page, please post a
comment. Thanks. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional Climate Change Information |
Climate Change and Carbon Dioxide
(Beginner - Listening,
reading)
A video lesson to
help with your understanding of climate change
and carbon dioxide.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening and reading practice. |
Carbon Dioxide and Climate Change
(Beginner - Listening,
reading)
A video lesson to
help with your understanding of carbon dioxide
and climate change.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening and reading practice. |
Environmental Group Warns Earth's Health at Risk
(Beginner - Listening,
reading)
A video lesson to
help with your understanding of climate change.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening and reading practice.
A report by the World Wildlife Fund looked at thousands of animal populations
and found they have dropped significantly in 40 years. |
Sea Levels Rising at Fastest Rate in 3,000 years
(Beginner - Listening,
reading)
A video lesson to
help with your understanding of climate change.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening and reading practice.
A group of scientists say sea levels are rising at record rates. Another group
found that January temperatures in the Arctic reached a record high. |
Capturing CO2 Gas Is Not Easy
(Beginner - Listening,
reading)
A video lesson to
help with your understanding of climate change.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening and reading practice.
Most scientists agree that carbon-dioxide gas is partly to blame for climate
change: rising global temperatures. But capturing the CO2 gas released by power
stations is costly and difficult. |
Growth, Climate Change Threaten African Plants and
Animals
(Beginner - Listening,
reading)
A video lesson to
help with your understanding of climate change.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening and reading practice.
Researchers believe Africa may lose as much as 30 percent of its animal and
plant species by the end of this century. |
|
|
|
|
Search Fun Easy English |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About
Contact
Copyright
Resources
Site Map |
