Pennsylvania State Capital Bureau
Pennsylvania faces serious threats from climate change, including heavier rainfalls, damaging floods and warmer temperatures, if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, according to a new report released by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration on Wednesday.
The Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment 2021 predicts that by the middle of this century (2041 to 2070), the statewide average annual temperature will be nearly 6 degrees hotter than between 1971 and 2000.
Besides the rise in temperatures and heat waves, the report warns that inland flooding will occur more often and the 56-mile coastline of the Delaware River’s estuary in southeast Pennsylvania could rise by more than 2 feet by the mid-century, while in northwestern Pennsylvania Lake Erie’s water levels would fluctuate from lows to record highs, reminiscent of 2019.
The average number of days over 90 degrees will increase to 37 in some areas and be as high as 60 in other parts of the state by 2050, according to the report. By comparison, the state averaged about five days annually above over 90 degrees from 1971 to 2000.
The average number of days hotter than 95 degrees will increase from one day to 10 days.
Precipitation is expected to increase by 8%, primarily in the form of more frequent heavy and extreme rainstorms. The average annual precipitation is projected to jump from 44 inches to 47 inches, with warmer and wetter winters.
Flooding and coastal sea level rise are projected to bring water levels about 2.1 feet higher along the 56-mile coastline of the Delaware estuary.
According to Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment 2021, PA’s average temperature will be 5.9° F higher by midcentury, with significant consequences for the health and safety of Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania environmental leaders will soon activate environmental justice hubs as a step towards climate change
The City of Harrisburg and state environmental departments are holding an environmental symposium April 6th to educate the community and activate new incentives. Author: Victoria Lucas (WPMT) Updated: 10:04 PM EDT April 1, 2021
HARRISBURG, Pa. The City of Harrisburg and Pennsylvania environmental leaders in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth are making strides towards a greener, healthier earth.
On April 6, the City of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University, and other environmental departments on the state level will hold a virtual symposium to further the conversation of climate change and spark change.
Christopher Nafe, sustainability coordinator of the City of Harrisburg says him and his colleagues will make sure everyone has the chance to join in the fight towards change.