Climate Power Statement on National Climate Assessment

Washington, D.C. – In response to the release of the fifth National Climate Assessment, Climate Power deputy executive director Claire Moser issued the following statement:

“The latest National Climate Assessment underscores what we already knew: the stakes for climate action have never been higher, and that’s why 2024 must be a climate election. From the dire risks we face due to extreme weather events, the economic impacts of climate change, and its role in exacerbating social inequities, climate change is affecting everyone. The good news is that President Biden has already taken bold action to combat climate change and create a Made in America clean energy boom. As the report shows, we have more work to do but President Biden is committed to doing what it takes to meet our ambitious climate goals.”

Some highlights from the report include:

• Greenhouse gas levels are higher than at any time in the past 800,000 years, with the most emissions occurring since 1970. 
• The U.S. now experiences, on average, a billion-dollar weather or climate disaster every three weeks.
  • Extreme events cost the U.S. close to $150 billion each year — an estimate that does not account for loss of life, healthcare-related costs, or damages to ecosystem services. 
• The average number of heatwaves has doubled since the 1980s, and the length of the heatwave season has increased from about 40 days to about 70 days.
• Human-caused warming has contributed to increases in the frequency and severity of the heaviest precipitation events across nearly 70% of the U.S.