A revised report, originally released in 2003, finds that Michigan and the entire Great Lakes region may suffer from the effects of a changing climate more than previously thought. A team of leading scientists from Midwest universities and solutions experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) recently found that extreme heat events are occurring more frequently, heavy precipitation events, both rain and snow, are becoming more common, air quality may deteriorate due to harmful gases released during more frequent forest fires and the number of summer pollution days may be on the rise. These changes will bring challenges to residents in Great Lakes cities as well as in rural areas, highlighting the need for action to forestall many of the most severe impacts.

Report co-authors, Dr. George Kling, University of Michigan, Department of Ecology and Biology, and Dr. Donald Wuebbles, University of Illinois, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, recently updated Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region: Impacts on Our Communities and Ecosystems and found new evidence of the impacts of climate change on the region.

"While updating the report we found several directly relevant studies published since the original findings were made public," says Kling. "Most of the recent evidence corroborates the findings and flavor of the 2003 report. New findings include the fact that extreme heat events are occurring more frequently as are heavy precipitation events."

The report finds that a warming climate will also increase the severity, and potentially the number, of pollution/ozone episodes in the region. Lake-effect snow may increase as a result of warmer lake surface waters and decreased ice cover, burdening many cities with increased cost for snow removal. Increased drought and flood events in the spring and summer may also put a strain on municipal budgets for sewer infrastructure.

"A hotter, drier climate will create ideal conditions for the start and spread of wildfires," comments Kling. "And an increased number of forest fires can exacerbate drought episodes by reducing rainfall as smoke particles absorb solar heat and interfere with the cycle that generates rainfall in the region."

Fortunately, clean energy solutions are readily available to help curb global warming pollution while boosting Michigan's economy. A recent UCS analysis, Renewing America's Economy, found that a national standard requiring that 10 percent of U.S. electricity come from renewable resources by 2020 would reduce global warming emissions by 5.5 percent. Steve Clemmer of UCS says, "This would benefit Michigan with 2,700 new jobs, $715 million in new capital investment, and $205 million in payments for bioenergy and wind land leases."

Other strategies for reducing emissions include increasing energy efficiency and conservation in industries and homes, improving vehicle fuel efficiency, reducing the number of miles driven, avoiding waste, and recycling. Says David Gard of MEC, "The good news is that investing in domestically produced clean energy can help revive Michigan's struggling economy in a number of ways. It goes beyond the obvious environmental benefits. This is sound economic development policy, too."

The report, Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region can be found at www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes.

If you would like additional information, or if you are unable to make connection with contacts listed above, please contact: Lynn McClure, 847-242-0015 phone, 217-855-8904 cell.

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