Climate Report: Changing Seasons and Deadly Heat Waves Threaten America
A new federal climate report, the Fifth National Climate Assessment, warns that the U.S. could face significant temperature increases in the coming decades due to global warming. The report projects that the average temperature in the U.S. could rise between 4.4 and 5.6 degrees Fahrenheit with 3.6 degrees of global warming. The Midwest, Northeast, and much of the mountainous West could see average temperature increases of 5 degrees, while Illinois and most of its neighbors could see a rise of about 4 degrees. The report also predicts more hot days, fewer cold days, and warmer nights, with the Midwest experiencing 10 more days above 95 degrees each year. The projections highlight the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change.