How the weather acts over many years Natural causes such as volcanic eruptions, solar variation, etc... However, humans have increased the rate of climate.

How the weather acts over many yearsHow the weather acts over many years

Natural causes such as volcanic eruptions, solar Natural causes such as volcanic eruptions, solar variation, etc. . . However, variation, etc. . . However, humans have humans have

increased the rate of climate changeincreased the rate of climate change dramatically through an increase in greenhouse dramatically through an increase in greenhouse

gases and changes in land usegases and changes in land use

But… how does this But… how does this affect me?affect me?

•Extreme HeatExtreme Heat

•Harms Human HealthHarms Human Health

•Damages ForestsDamages Forests

•Impacts RecreationImpacts Recreation

Extreme HeatExtreme Heat

More days reaching More days reaching above 90above 90° F° F

Average temperature in the Average temperature in the Northeast has already risen Northeast has already risen 1.51.5° F ° F since 1970since 1970

It is estimated the temperature will rise between 7°F - It is estimated the temperature will rise between 7°F - 12°F above historic and recorded levels in winter and 12°F above historic and recorded levels in winter and between 6°F - 14°F in summerbetween 6°F - 14°F in summer

Impacts on Human HealthImpacts on Human Health

Air quality is expected to Air quality is expected to decline as much as 4 times decline as much as 4 times in Pennsylvania’s cities!in Pennsylvania’s cities!

Ground-level ozone can Ground-level ozone can damage lung tissue, and is damage lung tissue, and is especially harmful for those especially harmful for those with asthma and other with asthma and other chronic lung diseases.chronic lung diseases.

Vector-Borne Disease: Vector-Borne Disease: Malaria, dengue fever, Malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, yellow fever, encephalitis, and lime disease are and lime disease are expected to increaseexpected to increase

Impacts on Our Impacts on Our ForestsForests

Loss of habitat and Loss of habitat and speciesspecies

The trees that grow in The trees that grow in our forests won’t be able our forests won’t be able to grow in this type of to grow in this type of climate climate

Increased risk of fires in Increased risk of fires in the new warmer, drier the new warmer, drier climateclimate

Impacts on Impacts on RecreationRecreation

Fishing and hunting will Fishing and hunting will be affected due to be affected due to habitat loss and species habitat loss and species extinctionsextinctions

No more snow fights No more snow fights during the winter seasonduring the winter season

Need to travel farther for Need to travel farther for winter activitieswinter activities

•Use Clean Energy! Use Clean Energy!

•Become aware of the issues affecting climate Become aware of the issues affecting climate changechange

•Look to purchase items that save energyLook to purchase items that save energy

•Change the way you travelChange the way you travel

•Use programmable thermostatsUse programmable thermostats

•Use energy saving fluorescent light bulbsUse energy saving fluorescent light bulbs

Warrington Township Committed Warrington Township Committed to the Pennsylvania Clean to the Pennsylvania Clean

Energy Communities Campaign?Energy Communities Campaign?

It has committed to purchase 20% of its electricity from It has committed to purchase 20% of its electricity from clean energy by 2010.clean energy by 2010.

Did you know…Did you know…

Local Benefits:Local Benefits:* Township Receives a free 1kW * Township Receives a free 1kW

solar energy system solar energy system (a $10,000 value).(a $10,000 value).

* Recognition as a leader in clean * Recognition as a leader in clean energyenergy

* Greater energy independence * Greater energy independence from fossil fuelsfrom fossil fuels

* Lower electricity and natural gas * Lower electricity and natural gas bills in the futurebills in the future

State Benefits:State Benefits:* Thousands of new jobs from * Thousands of new jobs from

renewable energy developmentrenewable energy development

* Reductions in global warming * Reductions in global warming pollutionpollution

* Billions of $$ in new capital * Billions of $$ in new capital investmentinvestment

* Millions of $$ in new local tax * Millions of $$ in new local tax revenuesrevenues

Information provided by SmartPower and Union of Concerned Scientists

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