The White House released the US National Climate Assessment yesterday. It comes a couple months after working group two of the IPCC report was released. Many expected just another report, reiterating what the previous reports have already stated. While this is partially true, it also brings climate change to the forefront of public and news media attention.
The New York Times used a quote from the scientists as part of their headline, stating the report brings climate change "firmly into the present". Indeed, the report does well to explain what has already occurred as a result of climate change within the United States. It's language is clear and the imagery and graphing is both visually appealing and enlightening.
While many news outlets were generally positive about the report's affect on the public, Fox News remained quite silent about it within its online news presence. A search for the article on the website came up empty. Then again, maybe I was not looking hard enough.
The US National Climate Assessment clearly outlines the natural disasters associated with climate change and where in the country they are occurring. It dedicates less time than the IPCC report to future models and predictions, keeping the thoughts of its readers in the present. Who will read it though? How will the information be disseminated to the public? Only time will tell. Below is a link to the website. You can download the assessment (it is very long) or click "explore the NCA".
http://www.globalchange.gov
How has the Northeast fared? What has happened in Lowell? It looks as though it is hotter by about a degree. This is coupled with a 71% increase in precipitation from the top 1% most extreme weather events. While droughts will dry out soil, storms will cause severe flooding. As Lowell is located on the Merrimack River, it will be a struggle to adapt to possible floods and hotter summers.
The New York Times used a quote from the scientists as part of their headline, stating the report brings climate change "firmly into the present". Indeed, the report does well to explain what has already occurred as a result of climate change within the United States. It's language is clear and the imagery and graphing is both visually appealing and enlightening.
While many news outlets were generally positive about the report's affect on the public, Fox News remained quite silent about it within its online news presence. A search for the article on the website came up empty. Then again, maybe I was not looking hard enough.
The US National Climate Assessment clearly outlines the natural disasters associated with climate change and where in the country they are occurring. It dedicates less time than the IPCC report to future models and predictions, keeping the thoughts of its readers in the present. Who will read it though? How will the information be disseminated to the public? Only time will tell. Below is a link to the website. You can download the assessment (it is very long) or click "explore the NCA".
http://www.globalchange.gov
How has the Northeast fared? What has happened in Lowell? It looks as though it is hotter by about a degree. This is coupled with a 71% increase in precipitation from the top 1% most extreme weather events. While droughts will dry out soil, storms will cause severe flooding. As Lowell is located on the Merrimack River, it will be a struggle to adapt to possible floods and hotter summers.