Climate impacts: the costs of inaction

NO

AA

Dr Melanie Fitzpatrick, Climate Scientist

Union of Concerned Scientists

15th August, 2013

Talk Outline

• Latest Climate Science

• Climate Impacts in CA

• Costs of Inaction

The Myth of Cooling

The Reality of Warming

What’s the Disconnect?

Source: Cook et al. 2013, Consensus Project

Our heat-trapping emissions

• Average temperature has

risen by ~1.7ºF since 1895

• Warming greatest in the

Sierra Nevada

• Sea level has risen 7in

over the last century

• More precipitation falls as

rain rather than snow

• More severe wildfires

oehha.ca.gov

Climate Impacts: The Costs of Inaction

Useful websites

climatechange.ca.govwww.energy.ca.gov

cal-adapt.orgwww.globalchange.gov

www.ucsusa.org

Contact:Dr Melanie Fitzpatrick

Climate Scientistmfitzpatrick@ucsusa.org

Union of Concerned Scientists, Berkeley, CA

Empowering Localities to Lead by ExampleBill Carney, president, Sustainable San Rafael

San Rafael Carbon Footprint

Reducing Carbon

Carbon Reduction Targets

Marin Climate Backsliding

Restoring Natural Systems

Building Resilience