CLIMATE CHANGE COULD TRANSFORM NEW ENGLAND

Environmental Groups Call For Immediate Measures To Cut Pollution And Protect Region

Portsmouth, NH (September 11, 2001) - A report released today by the University of New Hampshire finds global warming could devastate New England's maple syrup industry, cause coastal flooding, reduce snowfall, and transform Boston's temperatures into those of a Southern city such as Richmond or Atlanta.

Environmental Defense, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Clean Air-Cool Planet called for immediate measures to cut pollution and to protect the region from the effects of global warming. "This authoritative and comprehensive report shows that global warming could change the very landscape that makes New England unique, from the coast of Connecticut to the top of Mount Washington," said Environmental Defense senior scientist Dr. Janine Bloomfield. "New England must cut greenhouse gas pollution immediately to avert the worst of the damages projected in this study."

The New England Regional Assessment study, "Preparing for a Changing Climate: The Potential Consequence of Climate Variability and Change" was conducted over four years with multiple scientific, academic and public inputs for the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). The study was conducted as part of the federal government's comprehensive National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change, the authoritative assessment for the United States. The assessment finds that much of New England has warmed significantly during the last hundred years and that if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, projected climate change could fundamentally alter both the character and the quality of life in New England.

The report finds:

• The climate has changed over the past century, warming by one to two degrees Fahrenheit for all states except some parts of Maine;
• The region is projected to warm an additional six to ten degrees over the next century. A six degree increase in Boston's average temperature would result in the average temperature of Richmond, Va., and a ten degree increase would result in temperatures similar to Atlanta's;
• Regional air quality could significantly decline with increases projected in smog and acid rain affecting natural environments and human health;
• Sea-level rise will become a significant problem for low lying coastal regions such as Cape Cod and the coasts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and southern Maine affecting both human infrastructure, beaches, and coastal wetlands;
• The maple sugar industry could be severely impacted, with loss of production and movement of the industry to Canada;
• Days with snow cover have already been reduced, and continued warming would mean reduced ski season length, increased costs of snowmaking and gradual decline in the ski and snowmobile industry in the region.

The report recommends a variety of actions to slow global warming and minimize its impacts:

• Reduce power plant pollution to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas pollution;
• Develop economic incentives for renewable energy;
• Develop forest management practices to better store carbon in trees and plants;
• Conduct impact and risk assessments to minimize potential climate impacts;

"New England is at a crossroads and the choice is clear," said Dr. Susanne C. Moser, Staff Scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists. "We can continue our wasteful energy use and risk much of what we love about the region. Or we can act responsibly and prevent some of global warming's worst impacts."

"Just two weeks ago the six New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers committed themselves to achieving a 75%-85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions," said Adam Markham, Executive Director of Clean Air-Cool Planet. "The alarming scientific findings outlined in the regional assessment underline that the governors' bold plan to stabilize the climate comes not a moment too soon."

The full report is available at http://www.necci.sr.unh.edu/

About Clean Air-Cool Planet
Clean Air- Cool Planet inspires coordinated action among citizens, businesses, government, and community leaders throughout the Northeast to achieve reductions in greenhouse gases. CA-CP has forged effective partnerships with major businesses and corporations in the region, including Shaw’s Supermarkets, The Timberland Company, and Verizon. Visit www.cleanair-coolplanet.org.

Contact: Clean Air-Cool Planet
Bill Burtis, Communications Manager, (603) 422-6464 ext. 105
bburtis@cleanair-coolplanet.org