Global Warming Campaign News

DANIA BEACH, FL -- This year’s unprecedented heat wave is part of a broader trend of rising temperatures across the country, according to a new report released today by Environment Florida.  The average temperature in Miami is up .5° F since 2000 compared with the previous three decades (1971-2000).

“Global warming is happening, and Floridians are feeling the heat,” said Environment Florida Field Organizer Adam Rivera.  “Temperatures will continue to rise unless we quickly and significantly reduce global warming pollution from power plants, cars, and SUVs,” continued Rivera.

In the continental United States, the first seven months of 2006 were the warmest January-July of any year on record, according to the National Climatic Data Center.  In Florida, the average temperature was .08° F above the 20th century average.

To examine how these recent temperature patterns compare with temperatures over the last 30 years, Environment Florida’s researchers analyzed temperature data from 255 major weather stations in all 50 states and Washington, DC for the years 2000-2005 and the first six months of 2006.  This recent data was compared to “normal” temperatures for the three decades spanning 1971-2000.  Key findings include:

• Nationally, between 2000 and 2005, the average temperature was above normal at 95% of the locations, indicating widespread warming.  In addition, nights are getting warmer; the average minimum (nighttime low) temperature was above normal at 92% of the locations examined.

• In Miami, between 2000 and 2005, the average temperature was .5° F above normal. During the first six months of 2006, the average temperature in Miami was again .5° F above normal.

• In Miami, between 2000 and 2005, the average minimum (nighttime low) temperature was 1° F above normal.  During the first six months of 2006, the average minimum temperature in Miami was .7° F above normal.

“One degree may not seem like much, but just like in people, a small, relatively rapid temperature rise can have serious consequences,” continued Rivera.  Rivera pointed to numerous studies showing that sea levels are already on the rise, ice and snow cover are declining, and hurricanes are becoming more powerful. 

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park Manager Carmelo Duesler added, “In Florida, unchecked global warming threatens to cause a significant rise in sea levels, which will increase coastal flooding and could inundate a number of Florida’s treasured coastal areas.”

To avoid the worst consequences of global warming, the U.S. must stabilize global warming emissions within the next decade, begin reducing them soon thereafter, and cut emissions by 80% by the middle of this century. 

“The good news is that we already have the tools to substantially reduce global warming pollution.  We just have to put the solutions to work,” said Rivera.

“Rising to the Challenge,” a report released in August and available at www.EnvironmentFlorida.org, showed how the U.S. could cut global warming pollution by nearly 20% by 2020 by making our homes, cars, and businesses more efficient, switching to renewable energy sources, and giving Americans more alternatives to driving, paired with strong, mandatory limits on global warming emissions. 

“These are win-win solutions because they also will improve America’s long-term economy and energy security by reducing U.S. dependence on oil and other fossil fuels,” stated Rivera.

This summer Rep. Henry Waxman of California introduced legislation, called the Safe Climate Act (H.R. 5642), to harness clean energy solutions and reduce U.S. global warming emissions by 15% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050.

Broward Audubon Chairman Barry Heimlich said, “While we encourage local elected officials to support the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, to adequately address the looming problem of global warming, action must be taken on the federal level to solve it.”

“To protect future generations, Environment Florida strongly urges South Florida Representatives Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Kendrick Meek, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart to join Representatives Hastings and Wexler in cosponsoring the Safe Climate Act, the long-term solution to global warming,” concluded Rivera.

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Environment Florida is a non-profit, non-partisan statewide environmental advocacy organization.