A changing climate could pose health risks to you and your family: worsening allergy and asthma conditions, greater risk of premature deaths due to extreme heat, earlier annual onset of Lyme disease cases in some areas, and greater risk of food contamination and water-related illnesses. Find out how you can be prepared now.
Reblogged
Record-Shattering Global Warm Temperatures in 2015
Earth’s 2015 surface temperatures were the warmest since modern record keeping began in 1880, according to independent analyses by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Globally-averaged temperatures in 2015 shattered the previous mark set in 2014 by 0.23 degrees Fahrenheit (0.13 Celsius). Only once before, in 1998, has the new record been greater than the old record by this much.
The 2015 temperatures continue a long-term warming trend, according to analyses by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York. NOAA scientists concur with the finding that 2015 was the warmest year on record based on separate, independent analyses of the data.
Since the late-19th century, the planet’s average surface temperature has risen about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. This change is largely driven by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere.
An important thing to remember when reading this information is that it reflects global temperature average. That means that specific regions or areas could have experienced colder weather than usual, but overall the global temperature has risen.
How do we know? Our analyses incorporate surface temperature measurements from 6,300 weather stations, ship-and buoy-based observations of sea surface temperatures, and temperature measurements from Antarctic research stations.
What about El Niño? Phenomena such as El Niño or La Niña, which warm or cool the tropical Pacific Ocean, can contribute to short-term variations in global average temperature. Last year’s temperatures had an assist from a warming El Niño, but it is the cumulative effect of the long-term trend that has resulted in the record warming that we’re seeing.
The full 2015 surface temperature data set and the complete methodology used to make the temperature calculation are available HERE.
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"We’ve got to come together around an ambitious framework to protect the one planet we’ve got while we still can. If we want to prevent the worst effects of climate change before it’s too late, the time to act is now. Not later, not someday, but right here and now." —President Obama after announcing that the Keystone XL Pipeline is not in our national interest
I feel scared about having kids! I am worried that things are going to get really bad for the next generation (and beyond) - extreme storms and drought in so much of the country seem like they're going to keep getting worse. So much feels out of my control because big businesses and agriculture in the US and other countries use the majority of resources and release the most carbon dioxide: Even if I do everything I can on a personal level, will it even matter? Thank you for doing this!
I understand the anxiety you and many others are feeling about climate change. Put simply: it’s our generation’s defining challenge and we’re already feeling the impacts. But that shouldn’t make you lose hope. There are steps that all of us can take – government, business, families and individuals – that can be part of the solution to fight climate change and transition to a clean energy economy. I hope some of the steps that we discussed today give you an idea of what you can do to help and what President Obama is doing to take on this global challenge.
I have to run but it’s been great talking to everyone and I look forward to continuing the conversation. -Brian
How will the TPP obstruct efforts to curtail global warming?
The TPP has the potential to be the greenest trade agreement ever. In that agreement, the Administration is seeking to address conservation challenges that are particularly prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region, including many “biodiversity hotspots,” some of which have served as conduits for illegal trade and smuggling in threatened animal and plant species. This makes TPP a unique opportunity to break new ground on conservation and fisheries provisions that go beyond current international agreements. For the first time in any trade or environment agreement, we are negotiating prohibitions on some of the most harmful fish subsidies, including those that contribute to overfishing. TPP also includes commitments to protect our oceans and endangered wildlife including commitments on wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, and illegal logging. -Brian
My question is when is the administration going to address the enormous contributions that animal agriculture makes to climate change? Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of GHG emissions (vs transportation at 13%) but we never hear about it.
You’re right that this is a big - and under appreciated – deal. One of the things Secretary Vilsack at USDA has done is to work with the agriculture industry on an impressive 10-point plan to curb GHG emissions, including through things like biodigesters. -Brian
Why don't we put more funding into researching cheaper solar panels so everyone can afford them
I’ve got a nifty picture to answer this one…
We’re all in on the value of R&D investment, particularly in the renewable energy space. POTUS’s Budget calls for big increases for wind, solar and other potentially breakthrough technologies. As the President’s former deputy budget director, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that if we are serious about increasing investments for any of these critical priorities, we need to make sure Congress reverses the harmful “sequester” spending cuts that will go into effect this fall if Congress doesn’t act. These cuts will do real harm to our economic and national security, and we must to better. -Brian
What are some things an apartment dweller can do to help fight climate change? I'd install a solar panel or something like that if I had my own place, but setting up anything like that here is obviously up to the landlord.
Great question. You’ve identified one real barrier to large scale deployment of renewable energy. But it can be overcome. EPA recently put out some helpful tips about what all of us can do at home – whether you rent or own: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/home.html
-Brian
Submitted by purecities
purecities asked:
PURE gets HBCU students to learn how to #ActOnClimateChange by taking them to New Orleans to engage in learning about how Climate Change impacts vulnerable communities. The attached video is testimony from students from Alabama State University about what they learned about environmental justice, sustainability and Climate Change.
We answered:
Thanks for sharing this video – great stuff. We know climate change will and is already having negative impacts on minority communities, particularly when it comes to public health. POTUS was recently with our new Surgeon General to talk public health and climate change at Howard University. Check out this video here:
-Brian
What are you doing to combat climate change on your campus or in your community? Tell us by 2:15pm ET in our ask box, and you might hear from White House Senior Advisor Brian Deese during his Q&A at 2:15pm ET.
Wondering how you can help combat climate change? Make sure you ask White House Senior Advisor Brian Deese before his Q&A tomorrow at 2:15pm ET using our ask box.