| June 16, 2009 |  |
New Climate Report Provides Robust Science for Climate Change Decisions, Science Group Says
Regional and national fact sheets summarizing the main findings of the federal climate report, including state-specific findings, are available on the UCS Web site.
WASHINGTON (June 16, 2009) – The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) today released a comprehensive report on the impact climate change could have on the United States. The landmark report, which compares the potential impacts of higher and lower emissions scenarios, bolsters the growing consensus that there are significant economic, public health and environmental advantages to moving quickly to dramatically reduce emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
Fifteen environmental, conservation, science and wilderness groups, including UCS have also issued a joint statement on the federal climate report.
"This is exactly the comprehensive scientific assessment America needs to effectively respond to climate change," said UCS President Kevin Knobloch.
The United States and other countries could achieve emissions reductions that would result in an atmospheric concentration of heat-trapping gases that is well below the "lower-emissions scenario" examined in the USGCRP report, said Peter Frumhoff, director of science and policy at UCS and a U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change lead author. By mid-century, such a reduced concentration would result in less climate change than the report projects in its lower-emissions scenario.
"This new report underscores the clear choice we face," said Frumhoff. "By making sizeable early cuts in emissions we can protect the places we know and love across our nation from severe climatic disruption. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work."
Many of the findings in the USGCRP report draw upon a string of studies UCS conducted on climate change in California, the Northeast and the Great Lakes region. UCS plans to issue a report this summer on threats to the Midwest. UCS also recently issued a two-year study that shows that a comprehensive energy and climate policy would dramatically reduce heat-trapping emissions and provide savings of $300 for the average household by 2020 thanks in part to energy-saving technology and more fuel-efficient cars.
"We have a historic opportunity to reinvent our economy, tackle global warming, and cut energy costs," said Knobloch. "It's critical that we limit heat-trapping emissions enough to help avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Combining a carbon cap with strong efficiency, renewable electricity, and transportation standards can deliver those emission cuts and lower energy costs."
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
