Opening Day temps in Detroit rise in recent decades due to global warming
DETROIT โ Last year, Opening Day was sweltering in Detroit -- which probably has something to do with it being held in July because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, Opening Day is unfolding on time, but with much colder temperatures in addition to new health and safety restrictions. Related: Hereโs the Detroit Tigers lineup for Opening Day vs. Cleveland IndiansDespite the frigid cold this Thursday, Opening Day temperatures have been steadily rising over the last few decades due to global warming. AdSince 1970, Opening Day temps have increased by an average 3.3 degrees -- a statistically significant upward trend. Opening Day in Detroit will look much different this year compared to other years due to the pandemic.
University of Michiganโs carbon neutrality commission releases โbold, visionary planโ
โThrough implementation of the carbon neutrality plan, U-M will provide a model for taking early action to avoid the most adverse impacts of climate change. An institution can achieve carbon neutrality by offsetting the emissions it creates with emissions it removes. Establish, by 2025, carbon neutrality goal dates for Scope 3 emissions categories that are set for no later than 2040. AdโI applaud the Presidentโs Commission on Carbon Neutrality for leveraging the strengths of our university and broader community to bring forward a comprehensive report. โOur community comprises more than 100,000 students, staff and faculty, and our path toward carbon neutrality requires that they all feel empowered, represented and responsible.
Detroitโs average spring temperatures trending warmer
DETROIT โ Today is the start of meteorological spring (astronomical spring, formally called the vernal equinox, begins March 20). For climatological purposes, we use the calendar months of March, April and May for our spring statistics, and global warming is having an impact on those stats. Check out this short video (above) -- itโs less than a minute and wonโt waste your time. Trust me: Iโve received plenty of it over the years (some of it so untrue, misleading and sensationalistic that it made me angry), and all of it goes into the trash. Related: Climate change explainer: Earth is warming but winters could get worse -- hereโs why
What questions, concerns do you have about climate change in Michigan?
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)With our newest Newsletter, the team at ClickOnDetroit is taking a deep dive into climate change on a local level: working with experts to identify how climate change will impact Michigan, how it already is and what you might be able do about it. You can sign up for the In This Climate Newsletter right here. We want to hear from you: Do you have any questions or concerns about climate change, particularly in Michigan? ๐ Become an Insider ๐Introducing WDIV Insider: A new way for loyal Local 4 fans to gain access and customize your ClickOnDetroit news experience. Learn more about WDIV Insider -- and sign up -- here!
Fact-checking climate change comments in first presidential debate
Most analysts did not expect climate change to be one of the subjects highlighted by moderator Chris Wallace. But Wallace dropped a bit of a surprise by bringing global warming into the debate. While the Amazon rainforest does indeed absorb a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide, its estimated annual total of two billion metric tons of absorbed annual carbon dioxide is less than half of the estimated 5.1 billion metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide produced by the U.S. every year. There is no questioning that the Amazon is very important in taking in carbon dioxide, but it does not by itself offset the total U.S. carbon dioxide emission. (RCC-ACIS)Hopefully, the upcoming vice presidential and presidential debates will provide more insight into the candidates' thoughts about Earthโs unnaturally warming climate, the ramifications, and what they propose to do (or not do) about it.
Global Climate Action Day: Is it too late? What can you do?
Today is a Global Climate Action Day. Many youth groups will be taking to the streets to bring awareness to the dangers of climate change for future generations. A New York Times feature this week quoted leading climate scientists who believe weโre already past the point of return, that weโre โlocked into the global ecosystemโ on climate change. A Pew Research poll in 2019 found Americans are less likely to be concerned about climate change, with 59% seeing it as a serious threat, yet two-thirds of U.S. adults said the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of global climate change. Meanwhile, states are taking climate change action into their own hands.
Whitmer sets goal to make Michigan carbon-neutral by 2050
Gretchen Whitmer has set a goal of economic decarbonization by the year 2050 to mitigate impacts of climate change and to create clean energy jobs. On Wednesday, Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-182 and Executive Directive 2020-10 to create the MI Healthy Climate Plan. Executive Directive 2020-10 formally sets the goal of economic decarbonization in Michigan by 2050. To apply for appointment to the Council on Climate Solutions, please visit www.michigan.gov/appoinments and fill out the application. Select โCouncil for Climate Solutionsโ from the drop-down menu under the Appointment Information section of the application.
New study predicts consistent annual increases in global temperature
There is a ~70% chance that one or more months during the next five years will be at least 2.7F warmer than preindustrial levels. It is extremely unlikely (~3%) that the entire five-year mean temperature for 2020-2024 will be 2.7F warmer than preindustrial levels. The development of near-term prediction capability was driven by the WMO co-sponsored World Climate Research Programme. With the UKs Meteorology Office acting as lead center, climate prediction groups from Spain, Germany, Canada, China, the U.S., Japan, Australia, Sweden and Denmark contributed new predictions this year. Combining forecasts from climate prediction centers worldwide enables a higher quality product than what can be obtained from any single source.