Global warming study finds real change in America
WASHINGTON -- From Florida to Alaska and from coast to coast, nature's indicators show strong evidence of global warming in America, scientists said yesterday.
A report co-written by University of Texas biologist Camille Parmesan concluded that more than 40 scientific studies link climate change with observed ecological changes. In half of the studies, the link is strong, the report stated.
Satellite data and a century of temperature records have shown an overall increase in global temperatures to parallel the buildup of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
But in a report released by the Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Parmesan and University of Colorado ecologist Hector Galbraith say there is growing and scientific evidence that now shows specific trends in the United States.
"What we were able to show is it's happening in everyone's back yard," Parmesan said.
In some cases, the buildup of heat-trapping greenhouse gases has caused plants and animals to shift their habitats northward. In others, the timing of natural cycles has been altered, the scientists said.
Despite the release of the studies, President Bush is unlikely to significantly alter his stance on the issue, a key White House official said yesterday.
Mandatory regulation or caps on greenhouse-gas emissions are unlikely for the foreseeable future, White House science adviser John Marburger told Scripps Howard News Service.
"Not in this administration," Marburger said.
Release of the U.S. report coincided with a massive study concluding that the Arctic region is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet (see story below).
Continue reading this story from the Seattle P-I:
Global warming study finds real change in America
