Portland—This
July’s heat wave appears to be part of a larger pattern: Portland
had nearly twice as many days at 90° or hotter in 2006 than the historical
average, according to a new study released today by Environment Oregon. The
trend appears statewide—all seven cities studied reported more days at 90° in
2006 than their historical averages. The trend also holds up over time: all
seven cities had warmer-than-normal average temperatures for the seven years
ending with 2006.
In the summer of 2006, average maximum temperatures in Portland
were 2.7°F above normal, while average minimum temperatures —usually at night —
were 2.1°F above normal. Across the
state, all seven data collection stations examined in Oregon
reported above-normal average temperatures. Burns, in eastern Oregon,
topped the list with an average summer 2006 temperature 4.1°F degrees above
normal.
“Throw out the record books, because global warming is
raising temperatures in Oregon
and across the country,” said Environment Oregon Field Organizer Megan Ahearn. “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 Ahearn.
Environment Oregon’s
study examined temperature data from 255 weather stations located in all 50
states and Washington, D.C.,
including seven such stations in Oregon.
The study compared temperatures from 2000 through 2006 with the 30 years
spanning 1971-2000.
The above-average temperatures in 2006 are part of a broader
warming trend. While the National
Climatic Data Center
describes 2006 as the second warmest year on record for the lower 48 states,
average temperature between 2000 and 2006 was 1.4°F above the 30-year average
in Portland. Nationally, the average temperature during
the same 7-year period was at least 0.5°F above normal at 87% of the locations
studied, including six of the seven locations studied in Oregon.
Oregonians
are already feeling the heat. "It
looks like Oregon and the West are in for another big year of
wildfires,” said Rick Brown, senior resource specialist for Defenders of
Wildlife. “Scientists have determined
that these fires have become larger and more numerous as our climate
has warmed, trend that will continue unless we get serious about addressing
climate change."
Scientists have also tied global warming in the Northwest to
shrinking snowpack in the Cascades, which poses environmental and economic
problems, including farm irrigation and salmon migration.
“Global warming is a concern
for all businesses, all people. Certain
business sectors will feel the impact more acutely than others. The snow sports industry is one such sector -
perhaps the poster child for the impacts of global warming," said Heidi
Logosz, Sustainability Coordinator for Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort.
To avoid the worst consequences of global warming,
scientists agree that 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.
“I
am committed to helping the federal government find ways to reduce our carbon
footprint,” commented Congressman Earl Blumenauer. “Global warming is an escalating crisis, for this generation
and the ones to follow. This report contains crucial information that will help
us craft a bold vision to conserve and invest in more energy efficient
technology, and promote alternative energy sources.”
“Freezing global warming pollution is not an economic or
technical challenge,” said Eban Goodstein, Professor of Economics at Lewis and Clark
College. “We can solve global warming in a way that
can create jobs and strengthen our economy.”
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 Ahearn. “We call
on Representative Hooley to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act, and on Senators
Wyden and Smith to support the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act,”
concluded Ahearn. “These bills that do
what scientists say we need to do, and we simply cannot settle for less.”
In addition, Environment Oregon called on state legislators
to support bills introduced in the Oregon Legislature that would reduce Oregon’s
global warming pollution to levels scientists say is necessary to mitigate the effect
of global warming, and also voiced support for an effort by western states’
Governors to develop a plan for regional pollution reductions.
