Climate Change, Weather, and a New Energy Economy

Featuring Steve Messner

ENVIRON International Corporation



Abstract:

Climate change is already affecting regional and local weather and the impacts will accelerate in the decades ahead. The impacts will include temperature increases, precipitation pattern changes – some areas will be wetter, some regions drier - storm intensification increasing flood risk, wind pattern shifts, and sea level rise. This presentation looks at how local and regional weather will alter energy use patterns including greater peak demands in summer, reduced fuel use for winter heating, hydro power changes as well as solar and wind energy output. Concurrently fossil energy is becoming a fundamentally different commodity resulting from existing and contemplated legislation restricting greenhouse gas emissions. Additional research is vital to better understand climate, weather, and energy relationships in the coming decades.