Global Warming Solutions - Science

                 
What causes global warming?
Global warming refers to the rise in the Earth's temperature due to an increase in heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere. Scientists have concluded that human activity, primarily burning fossil fuels, is contributing to global warming by adding large amounts of heat-trapping greenhouse gases to Earth’s atmosphere. Every time we drive a car, use electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heat our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air. Click here or here for answers to some frequently asked questions, see NASA tell the story of our warming world, or watch a video in which Peter Sinclair lays out the basic evidence—from many fields of research—that global warming is primarily caused by humans.
 
What impacts is Minnesota already seeing from global warming?
Minnesota and the entire Great Lakes region are already feeling the impacts of a changing climate. According to a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists, our region is already experiencing shorter winters, including decreased ice cover, due in part to warmer lake temperatures, a rise in average annual air temperatures, increased frequency of extreme heat events, and an increase in heavy precipitation events as both rain and snow.

The current and potential impacts of global warming on Minnesota’s economy, people, and ecosystems include changes to our water supply and quality, impacts on agriculture including increases in crop pests, a rise in heat-related illnesses and deaths, damage to property and infrastructure due to frequent extreme (and expensive) weather events, disruptions for cold-water fish and shorebirds, and impacts on Minnesota’s $10 billion tourism and recreation industry. The good news is that Minnesota residents, business leaders, and policy makers can help reduce these impacts by supporting policies that limit and lower global warming pollution.

Where do Minnesota's global warming emissions come from?
Despite Minnesota's aggressive goals to reduce global warming pollution, emissions of heat-trapping gases in our state are still on the rise. The Center for Climate Strategies produced charts showing a breakdown of Minnesota's global warming emissions by sector and the rising trend of emissions growth in our state. A third graph, created by the Center for Energy and the Environment and the Izaak Walton League, shows that proper implementation of the Renewable Energy Standard (RES) and the aggressive energy efficiency requirements passed in 2007 will help Minnesota make a dent in our rising emissions, but we still need to do more to reach the science-based emissions reduction targets signed into law in 2007.