New climate report fuels calls for action in W.Va.

The Charleston Gazette
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
New climate report fuels calls for action in W.Va.
By Ken Ward Jr., Staff writer
See more at: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140506/GZ01/140509521/1419#sthash.M2Hy0E86.dpuf

A major new report detailing how climate change is already disrupting the nation’s weather, communities and commerce is bringing more calls for West Virginia leaders to focus on addressing global warming pollution and diversifying the economy in the state’s coalfields. ...

...Among other findings, the report projects that Southwestern West Virginia could experience more than 60 additional days per year above 90 degrees by 2050, compared to the end of the 1900s, if greenhouse emissions continue to increase. That projection compares to an estimate of 15 additional days above 95 degrees included in a draft report made public in January 2013. The increased frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves “will affect the region’s vulnerable agriculture and ecosystems,” the report says.

Also, the report projects that mountainous regions in West Virginia could experience “more intense precipitation events” that will “mean greater flood risk, particularly in valleys, where people, infrastructure, and agriculture tend to be concentrated.”

“The National Climate Assessment is important, but West Virginians don’t have to look to Washington to understand the reality of climate change,” said Tom Rodd, a leader of the West Virginia Allegheny Highlands Climate Change Impacts Initiative. “West Virginia gardeners, farmers, hunters, scientists, government officials, and more are already seeing the damaging impacts of climate change — including increased flooding and extreme weather like derechos.” MORE at above link