Global Warming in New England States

The US EPA and other agencies have done thorough studies to determine the likely impacts of global warming. Some effects on New England states follow. For more infomation, see the EPA Global Warming Website.

Effects of Global Warming in Connecticut

A seemingly small increase in annual temperatures would change New England as we know it. To put it in perspective, a projected temperature increase of 6°- 10° F would result in Hartford temperatures matching those of today's Atlanta, GA, with dramatic effects on our environment.

• Over the last century, average temperatures in Storrs, Connecticut, increased from 45.8°F (1892-1921 average) to 48.2°F (1966-1995 average), and precipitation in some locations increased by 20%.
• By 2100, temperatures in Connecticut could increase about 4°F (with a range of 2-8°F) in all seasons. Precipitation is projected to increase by 10-20% (with a range of 0-40%), with slightly less change in spring and summer and slightly more in winter.
• Heat-related deaths during a typical summer in Hartford could increase by about 20%, from close to 40 to near 50
.
• Ground-level ozone concentrations exceed national health standards throughout the state. All of Connecticut is classified as a serious nonattainment area. Ozone is a major component of smog and has been shown to aggravate respiratory illnesses. Ozone also reduces crop yields As much as 30-60% of the hardwood forests could be replaced by warmer climate forests with a mix of pines and hardwoods.
• Sea level is rising 8 inches per century along much of Connecticut's coast, and it is likely to rise another 22 inches by 2100.
• Cumulative costs through 2100 to protect Connecticut's coastline from a 20-inch sea level rise could be $0.5-$3 billion.

Effects of Global Warming in Maine

• Over the last century, the average temperature in Lewiston, Maine, has increased 3.4°F, and precipitation has decreased by up to 20% in many parts of the state.
• By 2100 temperatures in Maine could increase by 4°F (with a range of 2-8°F), slightly less in spring and fall and slightly more in summer and winter. Precipitation is projected to show little change in spring, increase by 10% in summer and fall (with a range of 5-15%), and increase by 30% in winter (with a range of 10-50%).
• 35-60% of the hardwood forests could be replaced by warmer-climate forests with a mix of pines and hardwoods or by grassland and pasture. Spruce and fir forests in higher altitudes could be reduced by as much as 40-50%.
• At Rockland, sea level already is rising by 3.9 inches per century, and it is likely to rise another 14 inches by 2100.
• The cumulative cost of sand replenishment to protect Maine's coastline from a 20-inch sea level rise by 2100 is estimated at $200-$900 million.

Effects of Global Warming in Massachusetts

• Over the last century, the average temperature in Amherst, Massachusetts, has increased 2°F, and precipitation has increased by up to 20% in many parts of the state.
• By 2100 temperatures could increase by about 4°F (with a range of 1-8°F) in winter and spring and about 5°F (with a range of 2-10°F) in summer and fall. Precipitation is estimated to increase by about 10% in spring and summer, 15% in fall, and 20-60% in winter. The amount of precipitation on extreme wet or snowy days in winter is likely to increase, while the frequency of extreme hot days in summer would also increase.
• Heat-related deaths in Boston during a typical summer could increase 50% by 2050, from close to 100 to over 150; the elderly, particularly those living alone, are at greatest risk
• In 1999, Boston had a record 304 consecutive snowless days.
• Ground-level ozone concentrations exceed national health standards throughout the state and could increase as a result of higher temperatures brought on by global warming. All of Massachusetts is classified as a serious nonattainment area. Ground-level ozone is a majorcomponent of smog and aggravates respiratory illnesses. Ambient ozone also reduces crop yields.
• Warming expands the habitat of disease-carrying insects, thus increasing the potential for transmission of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus and Lyme disease.
• Warmer seas could contribute to the increased intensity, duration, and extent of harmful algal blooms, which damage habitat and shellfish nurseries, can be toxic to humans, and carry bacteria like those causing cholera.
• Massachusetts loses an average of 65 acres to rising sea levels each year. Much of this loss occurs along the south-facing coast between Rhode Island and the outer shore of Cape Cod, including the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Coastal land lost due to erosion is not included. At Boston, sea level is rising 11 inches per century, and it is likely to rise another 22 inches by 2100.
• The cumulative cost of sand replenishment to protect the coast of Massachusetts from a 20-inch sea level rise by 2100 is estimated at $490 million to $2.6 billion.

Effects of Global Warming in New Hampshire

• Over the last century, the average temperature in Hanover, New Hampshire, has increased 2°F, and precipitation has decreased by up to 20% in many parts of the state.
• By 2100 temperatures in New Hampshire could increase by about 4°F (with a range of 2-9°F) in spring, and by about 5°F (with a range of 2-10°F) in the other seasons. Precipitation is estimated to show little change in spring, to increase by about 10% in summer and fall, and to increase by 25-60% in winter.
• Ground-level ozone concentrations exceed national ozone health standards in the southern parts of New Hampshire. Portsmouth is classified as a serious nonattainment area. Ground-level ozone is a major component of smog and aggravates respiratory illnesses. Ambient ozone also reduces crop yields.
• 25-50% of the hardwood forests could be replaced by warmer-climate forests with a mix of pines and hardwoods. Spruce and fir forests at higher altitudes also could be reduced.
• 6,200 acres of salt marshes along the coast and around the Great Bay estuary of New Hampshire, a critical habitat for wildlife, could be damaged by changes in runoff and sea level.
• At Seavey Island/Portsmouth, sea level is rising by 7 inches per century, and it is likely to rise another 18 inches by 2100.
• The cumulative cost of sand replenishment to protect the coast of New Hampshire from a 20-inch sea level rise by 2100 is estimated at $39-$304 million.

Effects of Global Warming in Rhode Island

• Over the last century, the average temperature in Providence, Rhode Island, increased 3.3°F, and precipitation increased by up to 20% in many parts of the state.
• By 2100 temperatures in Rhode Island could increase by 4°F (with a range of 1-8°F) in winter and spring and by 5°F (with a range of 2-10°F) in summer and fall. Precipitation is projected to increase by 10% in spring and summer (with a range of 5-15%), 15% in fall (with a range of 5-30%), and 25% in winter (with a range of 10-50%).
• Heat-related deaths during a typical summer in Providence could increase by 50% from the current 50 to near 75.
• In Rhode Island, production agriculture is a $78 million annual industry, three-fourths of which comes from crops. The major crops are silage, potatoes, and hay. Climate change could reduce potato yields by 30-66%. Silage, hay, and pasture yields could fall as much as 39%.
• At Watch Hill, sea level is rising two inches per century, and is likely to rise another 12.4 inches by 2100.
• The cumulative cost of sand replenishment to protect Rhode Island's coastline from a 20-inch sea level rise by 2100 is estimated at $90-$530 million.

Effects of Global Warming in Vermont

• Over the last century, the average temperature in Burlington, Vermont, increased 0.4°F, and precipitation increased by up to 5% in many parts of the state.
• By 2100 temperatures in Vermont could increase by 4°F (with a range of 2-9°F) in spring and 5°F (with a range of 2-10°F) in the other seasons. Precipitation is projected to show little change in spring, to increase by about 10% in summer and fall (with a range of 5-20%), and by 30% (with a range of 10-50%) in winter.
• Production agriculture is a $440 million annual industry, three-fourths of which comes from dairy livestock. The major crops in the state are silage and hay, yields of which could fall by as much as 39% as temperatures rise soil moisture decreases.
• 30-60% of the hardwood forests could be replaced by warmer-climate forests with a mix of pines and hardwoods.
• Warming also could cause maple sap to run earlier and more quickly, thus shortening the length of the season and reducing production.

Read about Global Climate Effects. | Read about Regional Climate Effects.