New Mexico
Global climate change poses risks to human health and to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Important economic resources such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and water resources also may be affected. Warmer temperatures, more severe droughts and floods, and sea level rise could have a wide range of impacts. All these stresses can add to existing stresses on resources caused by other influences such as population growth, land-use changes, and pollution.
Climate Change in New Mexico
Below are some of the potential impacts:
- By 2100 temperatures in New Mexico could increase by 3°F in spring (with a range of 1-5°F), 4°F in fall (with a range of 2-7°F), and 5°F in winter and summer (with a range of 2-9°F). Higher temperatures and increased frequency of heat waves may increase the number of heat-related deaths and the incidence of heat-related illnesses. The elderly, particularly those living alone, are at greatest risk.
- Rodent-borne diseases are prevalent in New Mexico, and upsurges of rodent populations have been associated with extreme events and in particular the El Niño Southern Oscillation phenomenon.
- Much of streamflow in New Mexico results from spring and summer rainfall and snowmelt in the mountains. In nonmountainous regions, runoff results from short, intense rainstorms. A warmer climate could mean less winter snowfall, more winter rain, and a faster, earlier spring snowmelt. This could result in higher winter and spring flows and the inability to store flood waters for use later in the summer. Additionally, without large increases in rainfall, higher temperatures and increased evaporation could lower lake levels and streamflows in the summer. Less water would be available to distribute to the central and southern parts of the state, where adequate supplies for irrigation and municipal uses is a concern.
- In the densely populated middle Rio Grande Valley, which includes Albuquerque, the availability of adequate water to meet the needs of its growing population is a major issue. During years of meager snowfall, many areas must supplement surface water supplies with groundwater; however, less spring and summer recharge could lower groundwater levels. This could amplify problems in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state, where groundwater levels are declining because of large irrigation withdrawals, as well as in west-central New Mexico, where groundwater development has increased to support municipal, domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses.
- Earlier, more rapid snowmelts could contribute to winter and spring flooding, and more intense summer storms could increase the likelihood of flash floods. Increased rains also could increase erosion and pollution from runoff from mining areas, and exacerbate levels of pesticides and fertilizers from runoff from agricultural lands. Stream sedimentation is a major water quality problem in New Mexico, as is contaminated runoff from grazing lands, mining areas, urban areas, and irrigated fields.
The above are based on from the Environmental Protection Agency's report on climate change, which uses data from the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2001).
For more info on climate change impacts on New Mexico in areas such as water resources, agriculture, forests and ecosystems, you can download pdf of full EPA Report.
CO2: How Does Your State Rank?
New Mexico is the highest emitter of C02 of all 50 states and the most populous.
Maps
See CO2 output by sector, coastal population maps, and maps of regional initiatives.
Regional Initiatives
In the absence of federal action, many U.S. states are banding together to explore and employ greenhouse gas-reducing policies.
New Mexico participates in the following:
Southwest Climate Change Initiative
Western Governors' Association (WGA): Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative
Western Regional Climate Action Initiative
Learn about climate initiatives in all U.S. states and regions
Your Impact
Estimate your CO2 footprint by using a carbon calculator such as the one on the Inconvenient Truth web site.
How green is your energy? The EPA has a power profiler that can tell you.
