The average temperature in Fresno was 1.5°F above average in 2006,
according to a new report released today by Environment California. Environment California
said this warmer-than-normal weather is indicative of what California can expect with continued global
warming.
“Throw out the record books, because global warming is
raising temperatures in California
and across the country,” said Environment California Global Warming Advocate
Jason Barbose. “The long-term forecast
is for more of the same unless we quickly and significantly reduce global warming
pollution from power plants and passenger vehicles,” continued Barbose.
According to the National
Climatic Data
Center, the 2006 summer
and 2006 overall were the second warmest on record for the lower 48 states. 2007 is on track to be the second warmest
year on record globally.
To examine recent temperature patterns in the United States, Environment California compared
temperature data for the years 2000-2006 from 255 weather stations located in
all 50 states and Washington,
DC with temperatures averaged
over the 30 years spanning 1971-2000, or what scientists call the “normal”
temperature.
Key findings for California
include:
•
In 2006, the average temperature was 1.5°F above
normal in Fresno; 0.8°F above normal in Los Angeles; and 0.6°F above normal in
San Francisco. Nationally, the average 2006
temperature was at least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations studied.
•
During the summer of 2006, average maximum
temperatures were 4.1°F above normal in Fresno; 3.1°F above normal in Los
Angeles; 2.9°F above normal in San Diego; and 1.2°F above normal in Sacramento.
•
Above-average temperatures in 2006 are part of a
broader warming trend since 2000.
Between 2000 and 2006, the average temperature was 1.8°F above the
30-year average in Fresno; 1.2°F above the 30-year average in San Francisco;
and 0.5°F above the 30-year average in Sacramento. Nationally, the average temperature during
this seven year period was at least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations
studied.
•
During the summer of 2006, the mercury hit at
least 90°F on 41 days in Los Angeles,
19 days more than the historical average.
Likewise, the temperature was at least 90°F on 115 days in Fresno, 7 days more than
the historical average.
Environment California’s
findings come on the heels of reports by the Associated Press that the number
of deaths in July 2006 was 466 higher than the average over the previous six
years, a spike many health officials attribute to the record heat.
“Scientists are sounding alarm bells about the impacts of
continued global warming,” stated Barbose.
“The better news is that we have the technology at our fingertips to cut
global warming pollution and forge a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Barbose.
The United
States could substantially reduce its global
warming pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants,
businesses, homes, and cars more efficient and generate more electricity from
clean, renewable sources, such as wind and solar power.
The California state legislature is considering several
important bills to address global warming and help the state meet the
requirements of AB 32, including:
•
SB 210 (Kehoe) – Low Carbon Fuel Standard
•
AB 118 (Núñez)
– Alternative Fuels Funding
•
SB 375 (Steinberg) – Local Government Smart
Growth Planning
•
AB 1470 (Huffman) – Solar Hot Water
•
AB 1109 (Huffman) – Energy Efficient Lighting
•
SB 411 (Simitian) – Renewable Electricity
Standard
“When the legislature passed AB 32, last year’s landmark
global warming legislation, we were committed to making California
the world’s leader in combating global warming,” Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez
(D-Los Angeles)
said. “This year we are following
through on that commitment with important bills that offer real solutions to
cut global warming pollution.”
In addition, Congress is poised to consider global warming
legislation this fall. The Safe Climate
Act in the U.S. House and the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act in the U.S.
Senate are the only bills that would reduce pollution to levels that scientists
say are needed to prevent the worst effects of global warming, by over 80% by
2050.
“The challenge of global warming is not going away.
We'd all be wise to listen to this call for action if we want to have a hope of
leaving our children and grandchildren a planet with a stable climate,”
Representative Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) said. “I am continuing to press for action on the
Safe Climate Act, legislation I have introduced which will cut greenhouse gas
emissions by 80% by 2050.”
“The heat is on to take decisive action to curb global
warming,” stated Barbose. “Environment California commends Senator Boxer for introducing the
Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act, Representative Waxman for introducing the
Safe Climate Act, and the 29 members of California’s
congressional delegation for co-sponsoring the bill. They cannot settle for less,” concluded Barbose.
