New Report on Climate Change Impacts in U.S. Northeast

ENS today mentioned a new report on climate change impacts to the U.S. Northeast, done by a collaboration of scientists in the region. The report is called Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Northeast: Science, Impacts, and Solutions.

According to the report, "The first scenario assumes an increase in global warming emissions from continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels, and the second assumes substantially lower emissions due to an increased reliance on clean energy sources. Global sea level is 'conservatively' projected to rise 10 to 23 inches under the higher-emissions scenario and 7 to 14 inches under the lower-emissions scenario. Using these estimates, cities such as Boston and Atlantic City can expect a coastal flood equivalent to today's 100-year flood every two to four years on average by mid-century and almost annually by the end of the century under either scenario."

The website has state summaries that project changes under two scenarios -- high emissions (business as usual) and lower emissions. For Massachusetts alone, the difference between the high and low emissions projections indicate we can avoid endemic droughts. The report says we can have an impact with reduction in emissions from the Northeast -- significant. Most of the northeastern states have legislation in place, and are debating more, that will require reductions. We each have responsibility for, and an impact on, the ability of each of us to enjoy our right to water by reducing our environmental impact, if we act now.