West Virginia

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 West Virginia

Below are some of the potential impacts:

• Over the last century, the average temperature in Charleston, West Virginia, has increased 1.1°F, and precipitation has increased by up to 10% in many parts of the state.
• By 2100 temperatures in West Virginia could increase by 3°F in winter, spring, and summer and 4°F in the fall. Precipitation is estimated to increase by 20% in all seasons, slightly more in summer.
• Higher temperatures and increased frequency of heat waves may increase the number of heat-related deaths and the incidence of heat-related illness. The elderly, particularly those living alone, are at greatest risk.
• Climate change could increase concentrations of ground-level ozone. For example, high temperatures, strong sunlight, and stable air masses tend to increase urban ozone levels. Ground-level ozone is associated with respiratory illnesses such as asthma, reduced lung function, and respiratory inflammation.
• With changes in climate, the extent of forested areas in West Virginia could change little or decline by as much as 5-10%. However, the types of trees dominating those forests and woodlands are likely to change. Forested areas could be increasingly dominated by pine and scrub oaks, replacing many of the eastern hardwoods common throughout West Virginia.
• Surface water is the principal source of water for public supply and industrial uses in West Virginia. Major rivers in the state include the Monongahela, Little Kanawha, Kanawha, Guyandotte, and Big Sandy rivers. The topography of West Virginia is rugged, and many of the rivers in the state are influenced by winter snow accumulation and spring snowmelt. A warmer climate would lead to an earlier spring snowmelt, resulting in higher stream flows in winter and spring.

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 West Virginia in areas such as water resources, agriculture, forests and ecosystems, you can download pdf of full EPA Report.

CO2: How Does Your State Rank?

West Virginia is the highest emitter of C02 of all 50 states and the most populous.

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Maps

See CO2 output by sector, coastal population maps, and maps of regional initiatives.

Regional Initiatives

This state does not participate in any regional initiatives.

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Your Impact

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