Global Warming News

Chicago, IL—This year’s unprecedented heat wave is part of a broader trend of rising temperatures in Illinois, according to a new report released today by the Environment Illinois.  The average temperature in Chicago from 2000-2005 is 1.3° F higher than the average during the previous three decades (1971-2000).

“Global warming is happening, and Illinoisans are feeling the heat,” said Environment Illinois’ Frances Canonizado.  “Temperatures will continue to rise unless we quickly and significantly reduce global warming pollution from power plants, cars, and SUVs,” continued Canonizado.

In the continental United States, the first seven months of 2006 were the warmest January-July of any year on record, according to the National Climatic Data Center.  In Illinois, the average temperature was 3.5° F above the 20th century average, making it the second warmest January-July on record.

To examine how these recent temperature patterns compare with temperatures over the last 30 years, Environment Illinois’ 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 Chicago, between 2000 and 2005, the average temperature was 1.3° F above normal. During the first six months of 2006, the average temperature in Chicago was 4° F above normal.

• In Chicago, between 2000 and 2005, the average minimum (nighttime low) temperature was 1.3° F above normal.  During the first six months of 2006, the average minimum temperature in Chicago was 4.1° F above normal.

• In Chicago, between 2000 and 2005, the average maximum (daytime high) temperature was 1° F above normal.  During the first six months of 2006, the average maximum temperature in Chicago was 3.4° 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 Canonizado.  The new report points to numerous studies showing that sea levels are already on the rise, ice and snow cover are declining, and hurricanes are becoming more powerful.  In Illinois, unchecked global warming threatens to:  cause more frequent and severe heat waves, which will increase deaths and illnesses from extreme heat and cause more frequent and extreme droughts, 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 Canonizado.

Environment Illinois is asking state legislators to pledge support for a policy platform to use clean energy and efficiency technologies to cut in-state emissions of the pollution that causes global warming.  So far, 31 state legislators have endorsed the “Global Warming Solutions Pledge.” Illinois is the nation’s 6th largest emitter of CO2, the leading cause of global warming.

“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 Canonizado.

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.  Environment Illinois applauds Representative’s Jan Schakowsky, Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis, and Luis Gutierrez for supporting that bill.

“To protect future generations, Environment Illinois strongly urges the rest of the Illinois delegation to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act, the long-term solution to global warming,” concluded Canonizado.

Click here to view the report. 

###

Environment Illinois is a statewide non-profit, non-partisan, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.