Global Warming In The News

A new report released Tuesday shows Austin ranked fourth in the nation last year for cities with excessive summer heat days.

According to the report, Texas experienced its second warmest summer in 2006, with an average of 2.1 degrees Farhenheit above the historic average. Austin also had 147 days with temperatures above 90 degrees from June to August -- 38 days more than the historic average.

According to the group Environment Texas, global warming may be to blame. The group says it could also be causing the widespread flooding the Austin area is seeing this summer.

“Throw out the record books, because global warming is raising temperatures and wreaking havoc with our weather in Texas and across the country,” said Luke Metzger, Environment Texas director, in a news release. “The long-term forecast is for more of the same unless we quickly and significantly reduce global warming pollution from power plants and passenger vehicles." 

There is little question there have been major extremes when it comes to the weather in Central Texas -- from the devastating drought last year to the record rainfall this year.

Environment Texas says global warming doesn't just bring heat but all kinds of extreme weather. They say even though we are now looking at one of the coolest July's on record, it doesn't mean global warming is not happening.

Three separate environmental organizations spoke out Tuesday morning to encourage legislators to take action. The recommendations include making steep cuts in global warming emmissions, obtaining 20 percent of electricity from renewable sources, making vehicles go farther on a gallon of gasoline and reducing energy consumption in homes and businesses.

The groups say the Safe Climate Act and the Global Warming Pollution Act are the only bills that would reduce pollution enough to make a dent in global warming.

"With record heat last summer and record floods this summer global warming is definitely wreaking havoc on Austin's weather, we urge the U.S. Congress to support a national renewable energy standard and take action to reduce the climate crisis today," said Beth O'Brien, Public Citizen.

Congress could vote on the bills in the coming weeks.