WHERE CLIMATE CHANGE IS

In Your Backyard: Climate Change Will Worsen Extreme Heat, Flood and Drought Frequency, Air Pollution and Infectious Disease Threats; State-by-state analysis unveiled in new NRDC web tool
August 3, 2011 (Natural Resources Defense Council)

"Climate change is expected to lead to worsening drought conditions and greater heat extremes, increased threats of Dengue Fever, drought, floods, air pollution and myriad health problems, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

"A new web tool unveiled by NRDC lets users read how their state might be impacted by climate change…[U]sers can see local data and maps detailing extreme weather patterns throughout the country, see local climate change vulnerabilities and learn about health problems in their own communities that are connected to climate change."

click thru for all the interactive maps

"Based on an analysis of data gathered from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other resources…the NRDC web tool compares temperature data in each state from 2000 through 2009 to local temperatures from 1961 to 1990. Users can see that residents of the western United States experienced more days of extreme heat than in previous decades and frequent drought conditions from 2000 through 2009.

"Extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease, while drought can lead to lower crop yields and contaminated drinking water. Many communities do not have plans in place to address these problems…The tool also highlights areas with unhealthy air quality…in 41 percent of states (21 of 51) …Exposure to increased smog, pollen pollution, and wildfire smoke puts a wide range of people at risk…But people with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory diseases face the most serious threats…"