Texas

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 Texas

Below are some of the potential impacts:

• Over the last century, the average annual temperature in San Antonio, Texas, has decreased 0.5°F, and precipitation has decreased by up to 20% in some parts of the state.
• By 2100 temperatures in Texas could increase by 3°F in spring (with a range of 1-6°F) and about 4°F in other seasons (with a range of 1-9°F). Precipitation is estimated to decrease by 5-30% in winter and increase by about 10% in the other seasons.
• Higher temperatures and increased frequency of heat waves may increase the number of heat-related deaths and the incidence of heat-related illnesses. Texas, with its intense heat waves, could be especially susceptible.
• Climate change could increase concentrations of ground-level ozone. Currently, ground-level ozone concentrations exceed national ozone health standards in some areas across the state. The Houston-Galveston area is classified as a “severe” nonattainment area, and the El Paso area is classified as “serious”. Ground-level ozone has been shown to aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma, reduce existing lung function, and induce respiratory inflammation. In addition, ambient ozone reduces crop yields and impairs ecosystem health.
• Several major river basins lie in part, or entirely, within Texas. Most of the state is drained by several south-flowing rivers, including the Neches, Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, San Antonio, and Nueces. Western Texas drains into the Rio Grande or its major tributary, the Pecos River. Unless increased temperatures are coupled with a strong increase in rainfall, water could become more scarce. A warmer and drier climate would lead to greater evaporation, as much as a 35% decrease in streamflow, and less water for recharging groundwater aquifers. Increased rainfall could mitigate these effects, but also could contribute to localized flooding. Additionally, climate change could give rise to more frequent and intense rainfall, resulting in flash flooding.
• The Texas coastline is over 1,400 miles long. The coastline is composed of wind tidal flats, sandy marshes, salt marshes, and beaches. At Galveston, sea level already is rising by 25 inches per century, and it is likely to rise another 38 inches by 2100. Sea level rise of only 10 inches could lead to a 25% reduction in brown shrimp catch, as marshes which serve as shrimp nurseries are inundated. sea level rise update
• Warmer seas could contribute to the increased intensity, duration, and extent of harmful algal blooms. These blooms damage habitat and shellfish nurseries and can be toxic to humans.

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

CO2: How Does Your State Rank?

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

See all rankings

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.

Texas participates in the following:

Western Governors' Association (WGA): Clean and Diversified Energy 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.