National Climate Report: Factsheets, Green Group Statement

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) today released a comprehensive report
on the impact climate change could have on the United States. The
landmark report, which compares the potential impacts of higher and
lower emissions scenarios, bolsters the growing consensus that there
are significant economic, public health and environmental advantages to
moving quickly to dramatically reduce emissions, according to the Union
of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

Fifteen environmental, conservation, science and wilderness groups, including UCS have also issued a joint statement on the federal climate report.

"This is exactly the comprehensive scientific assessment America
needs to effectively respond to climate change," said UCS President
Kevin Knobloch.

The United States and other countries could achieve emissions
reductions that would result in an atmospheric concentration of
heat-trapping gases that is well below the "lower-emissions scenario"
examined in the USGCRP report, said Peter Frumhoff, director of science
and policy at UCS and a U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
lead author. By mid-century, such a reduced concentration would result
in less climate change than the report projects in its lower-emissions
scenario.

"This new report underscores the clear choice we face," said
Frumhoff. "By making sizeable early cuts in emissions we can protect
the places we know and love across our nation from severe climatic
disruption. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work."

Many of the findings in the USGCRP report draw upon a string of studies
UCS conducted on climate change in California, the Northeast and the
Great Lakes region. UCS plans to issue a report this summer on threats
to the Midwest. UCS also recently issued a two-year study that
shows that a comprehensive energy and climate policy would dramatically
reduce heat-trapping emissions and provide savings of $300 for the
average household by 2020 thanks in part to energy-saving technology
and more fuel-efficient cars.

"We have a historic opportunity to reinvent our economy, tackle
global warming, and cut energy costs," said Knobloch. "It's critical
that we limit heat-trapping emissions enough to help avoid the worst
consequences of climate change. Combining a carbon cap with strong
efficiency, renewable electricity, and transportation standards can
deliver those emission cuts and lower energy costs."