Embargoed for release: Contact:
10 am, July 24, 2007 Devin Hartman
630.399.4053
New Report: Temperatures in Iowa
on the Rise
Des Moines, Iowa—The
average temperature in Des Moines
was 3.5°F above average in 2006, according to a new report released today by Environment
Iowa. Environment Iowa
said this warmer-than-normal weather is indicative of what Iowa can expect with continued global
warming.
“Throw out the record books, because global warming is
raising temperatures in Iowa
and across the country,” said Matt Wallace, Citizen Outreach Director at
Environment Iowa. “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 Matt
Wallace.
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 Iowa 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 Iowa
include:
•
In 2006, the average temperature was 3.5°F above
normal in Des Moines. Nationally, the average 2006 temperature was
at least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations studied.
•
Waterloo
experienced average minimum temperatures — the lowest temperatures recorded on
a given day, usually at night — of 2.6°F above normal in 2006 and 1.1°F above normal
during the 2006 summer. Warmer nighttime
temperatures exacerbate the public health effects of heat waves, since people
need cooler nighttime temperatures to recover from excessive heat exposure
during the day.
•
Dubuque’s
above-average temperatures in 2006 are part of a broader warming trend since
2000. Between 2000 and 2006, the average
temperature was 1.2°F above the 30-year average in Dubuque.
Nationally, the average temperature during this seven year period was at
least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations studied.
In April 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change found that North America could
experience significant water stress, forest fires, and “an increased number,
intensity, and duration of heat waves” as temperatures continue to rise.
Gregg Heide, a spokesman for the Iowa Farmers Union, stated,
“The Iowa Farmers Union recognizes the need to control emission of greenhouse
gases. We believe that Iowa’s
farmers are uniquely positioned to assist in achieving that goal.” The Iowa Farmers Union maintains that
renewable energy like biofuels, wind, and solar are means to reverse global
warming while generating income to farmers. Additionally, carbon sequestration,
conservation practices, and energy efficiency are innovative ways to enhance
income for producers and protect the environment. To Heide, these are win-win strategies.
To avoid the worst consequences of global warming, the United States
must halt increases in global warming emissions now, cut emissions by at least
15-20% by 2020, and slash emissions by at least 80% by 2050.
“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 Rich Leopold, the Director of the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources.
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.
A leader in addressing climate change at the local level is
Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, who spoke of greenhouse gas reduction strategies
employed in Des Moines. Mr. Cownie has provided extraordinary
leadership in the field, encouraging mayors across Iowa
to sign the U.S.
Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
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.
“The heat is on Congress to take decisive action to curb
global warming,” stated Matt Wallace. “Environment
Iowa calls on
Representative Boswell to support the only bill that does what scientists say
we need to do—the Safe Climate Act,” concluded Matt Wallace.
###
Environment Iowa
is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.
