Study finds Phoenix one of the fastest-warming cities in the nation
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A new study by Climate Central, a non-governmental organization that conducts data-driven weather reports, finds Phoenix to be one of the fastest-warming cities in the country.
According to the report, Phoenix has the 12th highest temperature increase in the nation. University of Arizona Climate Scientist Professor Joellen Russell says this is driven by humans.
“The main thing is that we’ve got more of these heat-trapping greenhouse gases. We’re over 420 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When I was growing up, it was in the 350s or 60s. It’s like stuffing more down into your sleeping bag. It makes what comes in from the sun isn’t getting out as efficiently,” Professor Russell explained.
Rather than being measured by how high temperatures are, this report calculates how frequent hot temperatures have been since 1970.
Based on the number of consecutive hot days Phoenix has had since 1970, the city’s average temperature has increased by 4.6 degrees. The U.S. as a whole has risen 2.8 degrees.
With it being dry lately, Professor Russell said we could potentially feel July-like temperatures in June, and it’s important to be prepared for it.
“Walking our dogs while it’s dark. Keeping our kids in air-conditioned play rooms instead of putting them out in the park because it will be very warm,” Professor Russell said. “This is really a big deal and it affects our tourism, as well as all of our folks that are employed to work outside. It means we have to be more careful. It means we have to watch all of our parks and hikes because a lot of folks from out of state that might be visiting won’t know how careful you have to be with water.”
Professor Russell also said this is the time to ensure your HVAC systems are in good working condition before we hit those high, triple-digit temperatures.
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