Trenton,
NJ —The world’s scientists are more than 90% certain that human activity—primarily burning fossil fuels to power cars, power plants, and factories—is
responsible for most of the observed increase in global average temperatures
since the mid-20th century, according to a consensus report released
early this morning by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a
United Nations body charged with assessing the scientific record on global
warming.
The report finds that warming of
the climate is “unequivocal” and warns that temperatures could further increase
substantially if serious action is not taken to reduce emissions of the
pollutants that cause global warming.
“Sections
of this report read like the Book of Revelations. But there’s still time to protect future
generations if we act to put strict limits on global warming pollution here in
New Jersey and in Congress,” said Doug O’Malley, Environment New Jersey’s field
director.
Cars and power plants are the largest
sources of these emissions, though the U.S. could reduce its emissions immediately
using on-the-shelf technologies to improve energy efficiency and shift to
renewable energy sources.
“The naysayers have been hanging
on to the small uncertainties in the science to prevent taking action on this
issue. This report takes away that excuse,” said Judith Weis, a professor of
biological sciences at Rutgers-Newark and a representative with the Union of
Concerned Scientists.
Today’s
report is the first volume of the IPCC’s Fourth
Assessment Report. It synthesizes
the peer-reviewed research published prior to 2006 on the science underlying
global warming. Additional volumes,
examining global warming impacts and options for reducing future warming, are
due out later this year. The full report
includes input from more than 2,500 experts worldwide. The IPCC released its last assessment report in 2001.
Among the
major findings of today’s report include the following:
- Human Activities to Blame: It is very likely (>90%)
that human activities—primarily burning fossil fuels—have caused most
of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th
century.
- Record Temperatures: 11 of the last 12 years rank
among the 12 warmest years on record. Cold days, cold nights, and frost have become less frequent, while
hot days, hot nights, and heat waves have become more frequent.
- More Intense Tropical Storms: There has been an increase
in intense hurricane and tropical typhoon activity since about 1970. The report also finds that it “is likely
that future tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes) will become more
intense, with larger peak wind speeds and more heavy precipitation”
associated with warmer oceans.
O’Malley
noted that the report is inherently conservative because it reflects the
consensus of hundreds of parties, including industry groups and governments
opposed to taking action to reduce global warming pollution. In addition, the report does not include any
research published in 2006, though there have been major research developments
on sea level rise and hurricane intensity, among many other areas.
Environment New Jersey is
advocating for support in Congress for the Global Warming Pollution Reduction
Act in the Senate and Safe Climate Act in the House, which would reduce U.S.
emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (roughly a 15% reduction from today’s levels)
and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. To achieve these emission
reductions, the bill calls for a greater reliance on clean, renewable energy
and improved energy efficiency.
The bill mirrors the New Jersey
Global Warming Response Act (A3301/S2114), sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda
Stender (D-22) and Senator Barbara Buono (D-18), requiring statewide emissions
reductions to below 1990 levels by 2020 (about a 20% reduction from New
Jersey’s emissions levels today). Environment New Jersey is urging all members of the
state legislature to co-sponsor this legislation and is also calling on
Governor Corzine to issue an Executive Order to reduce statewide emissions by
80% by 2050 and develop a plan to start cutting emissions right away.
The
United Nations Environmental Program and the World Meteorological Organization
established the IPCC in 1988.
“If
lawmakers still needed a wake up call, this certainly is it. Now, it’s time to get to work to pass
meaningful legislation that reduces pollution quickly enough and sufficiently
enough to avoid the worst effects of global warming,” concluded O’Malley.
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