Tracking Heat: Understanding EPA's Insights on Climate Change and Temperature Trends

What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government, established in 1970 under President Richard Nixon. Its primary mission is to protect human health and the environment by developing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA ensures that Americans have access to clean air, land, and water, and that environmental risks are reduced based on the best available scientific information. The agency also plays a crucial role in administering and enforcing federal laws fairly and effectively, promoting environmental stewardship, and providing accurate information to all sectors of society to manage environmental risks.

Climate Change Indicators: Heat Waves

The EPA's report on heat waves highlights a significant increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves across the United States over recent decades.

Key findings include:

• Frequency: The number of heat waves per year has increased steadily since the 1960s.
  
• Duration: Heat waves have become longer, with the average duration increasing over time.
  
• Season Length: The heat wave season—the number of days between the first and last heat wave of the year—has expanded, indicating an earlier start and later end.
  
• Intensity: Heat waves have become more intense, with higher temperatures recorded during these events.

These trends are consistent with the broader patterns of global climate change, leading to increased health risks, especially in urban areas where the urban heat island effect can exacerbate conditions. The report underscores the importance of monitoring heat wave trends to inform public health strategies and infrastructure planning.
US EPA

Climate Change Indicators: High and Low Temperatures

The EPA's analysis of high and low temperature indicators reveals notable shifts in temperature patterns across the contiguous United States:

• Increase in Unusually Hot Temperatures: There has been a rise in the frequency of unusually hot daily high and low temperatures during the summer months. This trend indicates that summers are becoming hotter, with more days experiencing temperatures above the historical average.
  
• Decrease in Unusually Cold Temperatures: Conversely, the occurrence of unusually cold temperatures during winter has declined, suggesting milder winters with fewer extreme cold days.
  
• Record Daily Temperatures: The ratio of record daily high temperatures to record daily lows has increased, with recent decades experiencing more record highs than record lows.
  

These changes align with expectations of a warming climate and have significant implications for ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. The increase in extreme heat events can lead to heat-related illnesses and strain energy resources, while milder winters may affect water resources and agricultural cycles.

By understanding these trends, policymakers, public health officials, and communities can better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change on daily life.

Sources

1. "Climate Change Indicators: High and Low Temperatures" https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-high-and-low-temperatures
2. "Climate Change Indicators: Heat Waves" https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heat-waves