CLIMATE CHANGE
Energy & Climate Change in New England
ADAPTATION
Adai
to Climate Change
U.S. EPA | CLIMATE CHANGE OUTREACH AT EPA NEW ENGLAND
THE ENERGY & CLIMATE CHANGE efforts at
EPA New England include working with businesses, federal, state,
and local organizations and New England citizens to reduce energy
use by providing tools, guidance and technical assistance for energy
efficiency, cleaner fuels and renewable sources of energy. The goal
of these efforts is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and impacts
of climate change.
INTRO:
Since the mid-1800s, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 40 percent,
contributing to an increase in the average global temperature and related climate changes. In the Northeast, annual
average temperatures have increased by 2°F since 1970. Winter temperatures have risen by twice that much and are
predicted to continue to rise, Scientists project sea levels in the northeast will rise 2 to 4.5 feet above 2005 levels,
higher increases than the global average. The frequency of heavy rains or snows in New England has increased faster
here than in the rest of the country.
WHAT'S BEING DONE TO
PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
IN NEW ENGLAND:
EPA activities. Federal agencies in New England
have been working together to plan for climate
change, and are coordinating with regional, state
and local governments as well as environmental or-
ganizations. These efforts are aimed at making our
coastlines and watersheds resilient by protecting the
natural environment from increasing sea levels and
stormwater runoff. EPA is also researching ways to
protect the built environment including homes, busi-
nesses, roads, seaports and railways. EPA is part of a
federal effort to create a "national adaptation strat-
egy" that includes state and local input. This strategy
will offer tools to local and state agencies. Businesses
and other private organizations planning for the fu-
ture, as well as guidance based on science and com-
munications materials to help them factor climate
change into planning.
On-going scientific study. The federal govern-
ment is investing more than $2.6 billion a year to
study the science of climate change. With more than
half the people in New England living in coastal com-
munities and much of the industrial infrastructure
built on the coast or along rivers, the increase in sea
level and extreme precipitation events could inflict
significant damage on our region.
EPA is funding data collection, including high reso-
lution maps that will predict the effects of rising
sea level, heightened storm surges and increased
coastal flooding. Changing weather patterns affect
the region's ecosystems, forest, air quality, public
health, watersheds, water quality and water quan-
tity. In New England, maple, beech, and birch forests
are projected to shift dramatically north, which may
eventually leave only a small portion of the northeast
with a maple sugar business. Winter sports, which
contribute about $7.6 billion a year to New England's
economy, will be particularly affected.
Government and academic researchers are also
examining how vulnerable our built systems may be.
We are evaluating, for example, the impacts on build-
ings and industrial sites, as well as the impacts on
our general living conditions, including public health
and safety, commerce, roads, airports and seaports,
energy production and transmission, agricultural
production, and communications and this research
will help adapt to climate change impacts.
KEY CONTACTS:
NORMAN WILLARD
EPA New England
Energy and Climate Unit
(617) 918-1812
willard.norman@epa.gov
CYNTHIA GREENE
EPA New England
Manager, Energy and
Climate Unit
(617) 918-1813
greene.cynthia@epa.gov
GENERAL INFO:
EPA NEW ENGLAND
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912
(617) 918-1111
www.epa.gov/region 1/
TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-888-EPA-7341
LEARN MORE AT:
www.epa.gov/region 1/
energykit
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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EPA-901-F-10-026
December 2010
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