Without U.S. Action Study Shows Climate Change Will Hit N.C. Hard

(7 October 2003— Raleigh)  North Carolina Environmental Defense today released a study examining the projected impacts of uncontrolled global warming on North Carolina.  The study, Understanding Climate Change For North Carolina (www.environmentaldefense.org/go/NCclimate), finds that continued unchecked greenhouse gas pollution would lead to warmer temperatures that will worsen North Carolina’s air quality and threaten public health; rising seas that will significantly impact North Carolina’s coast, North Carolina’s economy and natural environment being significantly altered.

“Recognizing the threats that climate change poses to North Carolina, state leaders should commit to taking responsibility for North Carolina’s greenhouse gas emissions,” said Michael Shore, southeast air quality manager for Environmental Defense.  “In Washington, Senators Dole and Edwards should support the bi-partisan McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act, a measured and affordable approach to the global warming problem, due for a vote later this month.”

“The Climate Stewardship Act invites every Senator and citizen to ratchet up the debate on climate change.  This bill - which is modest, doable, and relies upon proven approaches, not utopian wishes - moves America beyond cliches and evasiveness, and challenges every member of the Senate to clearly state what they think this country should do about global warming: ignore the problem or take prudent action,” said Peter Goldmark, director of the Environmental Defense global and regional air program.

“Potential climate impacts in North Carolina include an array of health threats, sea-level rise and increased coastal erosion, more extreme summer heat, water limits for our growing cities, rainfall variability impacting agriculture, and loss of species in forests, wetlands and other ecosystems,” said Shore.  “More than 3,300 people in N.C. have signed on as citizen co-sponsors of the Climate Stewardship Act at www.undoit.org.  For too long our leaders have denied any responsibility to find solutions - - all North Carolinians have a right to know where their Senators stand on this critical issue.”