![]() ![]() It’s important to remember that extreme heat is more than just a nuisance: it can be extremely dangerous to our health, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, outdoor workers, low-income families, and those experiencing homelessness. Observed and projected temperature rise in Illinois ( courtesy of NOAA )Īccording to NOAA, much of the warming people in Illinois are experiencing is happening in the spring season, and “temperatures in the 2000s have been higher than any other historical period, with the exception of the early 1930s ‘Dust Bowl’ era.”Īnd without action, things are only expected to continue heating up.īy 2050, Climate Central estimates that Illinois could see 10 times as many dangerous heat days per year as it does today. These gases trap heat ( like a greenhouse in your backyard) from escaping our planet and drive temperatures higher and higher, throwing our once-stable climate systems out of whack. Unlike renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, fossil fuels release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into our atmosphere. Why? Overwhelmingly, this can be attributed to humans burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Illinois is known for both hot, muggy summers and bitterly cold winters - but the northern and southern parts of the state actually experience big differences in temperature, thanks to Lake Michigan’s moderating effect.Īverage temperatures in Illinois and around the globe are climbing. Without bold action to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the state could see “ historically unprecedented ” warming by the end of this century. ![]() Here’s the climate reality: Since the early 1900s, the Land of Lincoln has warmed by about 1 degree Fahrenheit, on average. The potential switch to clean energy couldn’t come sooner for Illinois because it’s already experiencing higher temperatures, major flooding, a more volatile Lake Michigan, and more thanks to the climate crisis. Governor JB Pritzker joined the US Climate Alliance within weeks of taking office in 2019 and has pushed hard for clean energy legislation in the state. Luckily, the state is taking action today. Today, nearly 13 million people also call Illinois home, and the impacts of climate change are becoming more and more clear where they live - from smaller communities like Alton and Mineral to the sprawling metropolis of Chicago. Illinois is sometimes called the Land of Lincoln because our sixteenth president made the state his home. ![]()
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