Global Climate Change ("Global Warming")
* This web page provides an overview of the issue of climate change.
* It describes actions that Maine government, businesses and individuals have initiated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to the problem.
* It provides a compilation of links to credible sources of information on global warming/global climate change (GCC).
THE CURRENT SITUATION:
The year 1998 was the worlds' hottest year in approximately 140 years of record keeping. It was actually, at the time, the hottest year in more than 1000 years (as determined by proxy records [borings from glaciers, corals, ocean bottoms, etc.])
Now in 2008 , "eleven of the last twelve years (1995–2006) rank among the 12 warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature (since 1850)", according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on CC (IPCC) report.
[Variations of the earth's surface temperatures over (a) the past 140 years globally and (b) the past 1000 years (Northern Hemisphere.)]
[Figure may also be accessed at: http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/005.htm
2007 IPCC Findings: "These most recent decades have been the two hottest decades since instrumental records have been kept."
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), composed of more than 1000 leading scientists appointed by the governments from around the world, issued its Fourth Assessment Report (TAR) in 2007. Here are some of the major summary statements from the report:
"The Global atmospheric concentrations of carbon
dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have increased
markedly as a result of human activities since 1750
and now far exceed pre-industrial values determined
from ice cores spanning many thousands of years. The global increases in carbon
dioxide concentration are due primarily to fossil fuel
use and land use change, while those of methane and nitrous oxide are primarily due to agriculture.
"Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is
now evident from observations of increases in global
average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level.
"Observations since 1961 show that the average
temperature of the global ocean has increased to depths
of at least 3000 m and that the ocean has been absorbing
more than 80% of the heat added to the climate system.
Such warming causes seawater to expand, contributing
to sea level rise.
"Widespread decreases
in glaciers and ice caps have contributed to sea level rise (ice caps do not include contributions from the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets).
"At continental, regional and ocean basin scales,
numerous long-term changes in climate have
been observed. These include changes in arctic
temperatures and ice, widespread changes in
precipitation amounts, ocean salinity, wind patterns
and aspects of extreme weather including droughts,
heavy precipitation, heat waves and the intensity of
tropical cyclones.
"Average arctic temperatures increased at almost twice
the global average rate in the past 100 years.
"The frequency of heavy precipitation events has
increased over most land areas, consistent with warming
and observed increases of atmospheric water vapour.
"More intense and longer droughts have been observed
over wider areas since the 1970s, particularly in the
tropics and subtropics. Increased drying linked with
higher temperatures and decreased precipitation has contributed to changes in drought. Changes in sea
surface temperatures, wind patterns and decreased
snowpack and snow cover have also been linked to droughts.
IPCC FUTURE PROJECTIONS: "For the next two decades, a warming of about
0.2°C per decade is projected for a range of
emission scenarios. Even if the concentrations of
all greenhouse gases and aerosols had been kept
constant at year 2000 levels, a further warming of
about 0.1°C per decade would be expected."
Reference: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg1/ar4-wg1-spm.pdf
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?
Download the Indicators of Climate Change pdf doc
Although it is hard to imagine that this seemingly small change in the global average temperature is significant - there is worldwide evidence that it is changing the world as we have known it.
Mainers are concerned about changing precipitation patterns and the effects on ecosystem and habitat range migrations along with a whole host of human related health impacts. In addition, there is concern about potential infrastructure damage to our state's highways, bridges, piers, etc. due to runoff from extreme precipitation events and rising sea levels.
Many experts believe that if we work to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions that we could slow down the changes in climate and reduce the negative consequences to future generations. It's not a simple task, but we must get started now.
There is no longer a debate about if it's happening or what is the cause.
Now the debate is about the best ways to cut back our emissions and how best to sequester carbon dioxide.
Much of the world has begun to take a serious look at how to reduce the impacts of climate change and preserve our existing natural resources. That begins with governments, businesses and individuals examining their greenhouse gas contributions to the atmosphere. How can we cut back on those emissions?
Governments and individuals around the world are calculating their emission contributions and finding ways to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and become more energy efficient.
Maine began work on estimating statewide greenhouse gases emissions some years ago and the legislature eventually enacted the Maine Greenhouse Gas Action plan in 2004. (See links below fore more detailed information.)
MAINE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN 2004
SECOND BIENNUAL CLIMATE ACTION PLAN PROGRESS REPORT 2008
CC Indicators & Action Plan Highlights Booklet - pdf download
(Contact Air Bureau to obtain printed copies of Highlights Booklet.)
The NorthEast's - GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION TRADING PROGRAM
Maine is one of the first states in the U.S. to establish and participate in a Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading program.
(RGGI) is an initiative to design and implement a flexible market- based cap and trade program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel fired power plants in the Northeast. In addition to Maine, seven states have signed an agreement to implement RGGI: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.
MAINE GOVERNOR BALDACCI'S - CARBON CHALLENGE
TO BUSINESS
Part of Maine's Climate Change law directs the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to develop agreements with businesses and non-profit organizations to accomplish these goals.
To learn more about stepping up to document your emissions and to make a commitment to reduce those by becoming more energy efficient contact DEP today. DEP technical assistance resources are available to participating organizations.
http://www.maine.gov/dep/innovation/gcc/index.htm
TO HOMEOWNERS
Individuals or homeowners interested in signing up for renewable energy credits - that's clean energy from renewable sources- and reducing carbon emissions should visit an associated project Carbon Free Homes at the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) - Efficiency Maine Program and be part of the solution to global warming!
TO SCHOOLS
DEPs Voluntary GHG survey of energy use at Maine schools is a great way to get started looking at energy efficiency in schools. By calculating a school's energy use, managers can identify opportunities to reduce their operating costs and be ready to apply for energy efficiency funding through Efficiency Maine's Business program. Using DEPs carbon calculator spreadsheet, schools can document energy use and receive a report to present to the school board to help justify action that will reduce their expenses.
Contact DEP to learn more: Maine DEP or call 207-287-2437.
MORE USEFUL WEB RESOURCES:
(These links are offsite and will open in a new window.)
The Science of Global Climate Change
US EPA: http://epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg1.htm
Pew Center for Global Climate Change: http://www.pewclimate.org/projects/env_science.cfm
Union of Concerned Scientists:
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/
Sierra Club
http://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/dangerousexperiment
US Global Research Program site:
http//www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/default.htm
University of Maine Climate Change Institute
http://www.climatechange.umaine.edu/Research/resindex.html
Clean Air - Cool Planet
http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/information/
Impacts of Global Climate Change
US EPA: http://epa.gov/climatechange/effects/index.html
Union of Concerned Scientists:
http://www.climatechoices.org/ne/
UNH REPORT - Impacts of Climate Change in the North East (US)
http://www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/climate_ed/background.html
Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
EPA Personal Carbon Calculator
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
EPA CLIMATE CHECK SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOLS
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.htm
What Individuals Can Do to Reduce Emissions (Save Energy)
US EPA - What You Can Do
http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/index.html
Clean Air - Cool Planet
http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/action/index.php
Rocky Mountain Institute:Household Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Savings Measures
http://www.rmi.org/sitepages/pid209.php
What Business/Industry Can Do to Reduce Emissions (Save Energy)
Cool Companies: Joseph Romm, author of the book, COOL Companies, provides numerous suggestions to help businesses save money by reducing energy use.
Rocky Mountain Institute Excellent info on saving energy and emissions
Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawkin, Amory Lovins and Hunter Lovins, Rocky Mountain Institute, 1999.
Other Useful Sources
"The Heat is On" Journalist Ross Gelbspan, author of THE HEAT IS ON, has created a website based on that book. It contains numerous articles and good links.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change:Access the basis for climate change action taken at Rio, the subsequent Kyoto Protocol, etc.
Pew Center for Global Climate Change: The PEW Center for Global Climate Change offers many studies and articles on climate change issues. An older report (1999) on the science of climate change is still useful.
New Hampshire Climate Change: New Hampshire, our next-door neighbor with climate similar to Maine's recently (August 2002) posted its Climate Change Website where much information also useful to Maine citizens may be found.
US Global Change Research Information Office: Numerous authoritative documents available.
"Ask Doctor Global Change." This US Global Change Research Information Office site allows one to ask questions and also contains 115 (currently) answered questions.
"Global Climate Change and Environmental Impacts" Access to the Boston University course, "Global Climate Change and Environmental Impacts" by Dr. Ranga Myneni.
Redefining Progress - Climate Policy : Economists Insights on Climate Change
Since global climate change is driven by emissions from energy production and use, it is necessary to include several energy sites.
Alliance to Save Energy
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Rocky Mountain Institute: Amory Lovins' Rocky Mountain Institute is an excellent source for energy information as well as some climate change information. He shows that efficiency is our best source of both energy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Scenarios for a Clean Energy Future ("5 Labs Study")
Planet Ark/Reuters: Planet Ark/Reuters sends daily list of environmental articles (including many on global climate change); you can access the site or sign up for a daily delivery of the articles.
