The kind of record heat that baked the U.S. Heartland during the summer of 2011 will become more frequent, according to a new U.S. government warning.
The U.S. government warns that the country will face more frequent outbreaks of severe weather and other adverse conditions over the coming decades as climate change raises temperatures far beyond levels currently being prepared for.
The Third National Climate Assessment directly attributes the increase in heat waves and storms expected later this century on greenhouse gas emissions.
The report said there is “strong evidence” that human activity has already roughly doubled the likelihood of more excessive heat, like Texas and Oklahoma suffered in 2011.
The report concludes that climate change “threatens human health and well-being in many ways,” especially due to more frequent storms, wildfires, diseases and unhealthful air quality.
It adds that rising sea levels have already damaged some coastal infrastructure.
The report came a few days after NOAA said 2012 was by far the warmest year in record in the continental United States.
Graphic: File