[PCA] NEWS: EDF Summary of Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States

[Olivia Kwong]

Original report (has many references to invasive plant issues): 
http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts

>From the Environmental Defense Fund:

Moments ago, the White House released a detailed scientific report 
forecasting devastating impacts of global warming in the United States if 
we don't take dramatic steps now to cut our global warming emissions.

The report, Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, breaks 
down climate impacts region-by-region

The Northeast:
. Hartford and Philadelphia could average 30 days of 100+ temperatures per 
year while Boston could see more than 20 100-degree days per year;
. Native maple, beech, birch, spruce and fir forests could be almost 
entirely lost;
. The climate of New Hampshire could resemble the climate of North 
Carolina.

The Southeast:
. Much of Florida and southeast Texas could see more than 180 days in the 
90s per year while other southeastern states could see more than 100 
90-degree days per year;
. Spring and summer drought has already increased by 12 percent and 14 
respectively over the last 30 years. The frequency, intensity and duration 
of droughts in the region are likely to increase;
. Sea level rise and stronger storm surges could inundate and ultimately 
flood coastal communities along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

The Midwest:
. The climate of Michigan could resemble the climate of Oklahoma and the 
climate of Illinois could resemble the climate of Texas;
. Deadly heat waves like the one that killed more than 700 people in 
Chicago in 1995, will become more frequent. Under higher emission 
scenarios, Chicago could experience up to three such heat waves every 
year;
. Higher emissions scenarios would cause a water level drop of 1-2 feet in 
the Great Lakes, threatening shipping, infrastructure, beaches and 
ecosystems.

The Great Plains:
. Hotter, drier summers will threaten the already overused High Plains 
aquifer, which irrigates 13 million acres and provides water to 80% of the 
people in the region;
. Increased temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels will threaten 
farming activities with more drought, pest infestations, and faster weed 
growth;
. Under higher emission scenarios, North and South Dakota, which currently 
see only a handful of 100-degree days, could see 50 or more days of 100+ 
temperatures per year.

The Southwest:
. Under higher emission scenarios, the southern half of Arizona, 
southeastern California and Las Vegas could see more than 120 days with 
100+ temperatures;
. Most of the region could see precipitation levels decline by more than 
40%, pushing already water-strained areas over the edge;
Southwestern forests will be decimated with less water, more wildfires and 
more invasive pests. Under higher emissions scenarios, California's 
mountain forests could decline by 60-90%.

The Northwest:
. Mountain snowpack runoff, critical water needs, could run 20-40 days 
earlier, threatening water resources in summer months;
Declining summer streamflows and warmer water temperatures could push 
salmon and other cold water fish species, already stressed by human 
activities, over the brink;
. 100-degree days are rare today in the Northwest. Under higher emission 
scenarios, much of the region could see 30-40 days of 110+ temperatures 
per year.