5th National Climate Assessment is being issued
by Daria Blackwell 24 Dec 2023 18:54 UTC
Changes in heavy rainfall events across the United States © Daria Blackwell
Climate change is now affecting all regions of the US. The Overview identifies the key changes that have already been documented and are currently under way.
Since 1970, the Lower 48 states have warmed by 2.5 degrees F (1.4C) and Alaska has heated up by 4.2 degrees F (2.3C), compared to the global average of 1.7 degrees F (0.9C), the report said. What people notice is not the averages but when the weather is extreme. With heat waves, drought, wildfires, and heavy downpours, we are sensing an acceleration of the impacts of climate change in the United States.
Heavy precipitation events are becoming more frequent and intense, especially in the East. In the Northeast, rainfall has increased an average of 60% on the heaviest rain days of the year. From the NCA5 (5th National Climate Assessment 2023), "Climate Trends" figures. The storm that inundated much of the US East Coast earlier this week on December 18 reinforces the conclusions.
Chapter 10 of the report covers Ocean Ecosystems and Marine Resources and outlines the very definite changes that are already under way:
- Key Message 10.1
- Unprecedented Climate Impacts Threaten Ecosystems and Human Well-Being
- Key Message 10.2 Climate Change Is Altering Marine-Related Economic Activities
- Key Message 10.3 Our Future Ocean Depends on Decisions Today
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This article has been provided by the courtesy of the Ocean Cruising Club.