1. We have begun collecting and
analyzing data on anticipated
changes to our region’s climate. Help
us refine our analysis by letting us
know if the data tells our region’s
story…

2. Washington Post
The Earth’s climate is warming, “as is
now evident from observations of
increases in global average air and ocean
NOAA
temperatures, widespread melting of
snow and ice, and rising global mean sea
level.”

3. Some Metrics
Washington Post
Global Average Temperature
NOAA
Global Average Sea Level
Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover
Source: IPCC Climate Change 2007: The Physical 1850 1900 1950 2000
Science Basis—Summary for Policymakers.

4. Rising Northeast Temperatures
Source: NECIA / UCS (see: www.climatechoices.org/ne/)

5. Outlined in red
are areas that
typically
experience 30+
days of snow
today. By 2070,
only the areas in
white are
anticipated to
have 30+ days of Source: NECIA / UCS (see: www.climatechoices.org/ne/)
snow Intraresearch, d.b.a. MapMart

6. Energy-related CO2 emissions in the Northeast
compared with the major carbon-emitting nations of the world
Note: U.S. emissions include the Northeast
Source: Emissions data for 2001 from Energy Information Administration (EIA), International energy annual (2003), and EIA, Emissions of greenhouse gases in
the United States (2004).

7. From Climate
Change in the U.S.
Northeast
Assessment report

8. Heat Waves and Temperature Extremes:
Buffalo, New York

9. Climate change in Great Lakes:
Decline of Fresh Waters Sources

10. Our Shared Future????
– Prevalence of oppressive heat & humidity;
– Reduced productivity of natural systems and
environmental services: biodiversity, forests, wetlands,
fisheries, water – distribution and abundance;
– Endangered food security (drought, floods, pests,
temperature, etc);
– Expanded geography of disease and invasive species;
– Damage from severe storms, floods, droughts, wildfires;
– Escalating costs: disaster cleanups; expenditures on
engineered environments; fuel costs.

11. Are these data telling
the story of our region’s
issues related to climate
change?