climate Change in Pennsylvania Impacts and Solutions for the Keystone State

The report analyzes how global warming affects Pennsylvania's environment and economy, projecting severe risks under a higher-emissions scenario, such as the disappearance of snowmobiling, declines in dairy and fruit yields, and increased urban heat stress. It advocates for a transition to clean energy, citing Pennsylvania's role as the third-highest fossil fuel emitter in the U.S., and suggests specific adaptation strategies for infrastructure and natural resources.

• Pennsylvania is the third-highest emitter of fossil fuels among U.S. states, trailing only Texas and California, and contributes approximately 1 percent of total global carbon dioxide emissions.
• Under a higher-emissions scenario, urban areas in Pennsylvania will face a dramatic increase in extreme heat; for example, Philadelphia is projected to have more than 80 days over 90°F and nearly 25 days over 100°F by late century.
• Agricultural productivity is threatened by rising temperatures: dairy cattle may see milk production declines of 10 percent by mid-century and up to 20 percent by late century under higher emissions, while Concord grapes and popular apple varieties (McIntosh and Granny Smith) may fail to meet winter chilling requirements.
• Forest habitats for key species are projected to shift northward by up to 500 miles by late century under higher emissions, potentially causing the total disappearance of suitable habitat for black cherry, sugar maple, and American beech from the state.
• Winter recreation is highly vulnerable; snowmobiling is projected to virtually disappear by mid-century under either emissions scenario, and most ski resorts may become economically unviable by mid-century as temperatures become too warm for snowmaking.
• Climate change is expected to degrade urban air quality and public health by increasing ground-level ozone and prolonging pollen-allergy seasons, with the number of days failing federal ozone standards in the Philadelphia region potentially quadrupling under higher emissions.
• Increased seasonal rainfall in winter, spring, and fall is projected to cause more frequent failures of combined sewer systems (CSSs) in cities like Pittsburgh, leading to more untreated sewage overflows (CSOs).
• Sea-level rise in the Delaware Estuary may push the salt line northward toward Philadelphia, potentially increasing chloride concentrations above 50 mg/L and jeopardizing drinking water for users with high blood pressure or those on dialysis.
• To reduce emissions, the report suggests that Pennsylvania should prohibit new coal-fired power plants until carbon capture and storage (CCS) is commercially viable and should expand its largely untapped wind and solar resources.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2008). climate Change in Pennsylvania Impacts and Solutions for the Keystone State. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Climate-Change-in-Pennsylvania_Impacts-and-Solutions.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. climate Change in Pennsylvania Impacts and Solutions for the Keystone State. 2008. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Climate-Change-in-Pennsylvania_Impacts-and-Solutions.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=climate Change in Pennsylvania Impacts and Solutions for the Keystone State |date=October 2008 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Climate-Change-in-Pennsylvania_Impacts-and-Solutions.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2008climate, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{climate Change in Pennsylvania Impacts and Solutions for the Keystone State}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2008}, month = oct, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Climate-Change-in-Pennsylvania_Impacts-and-Solutions.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }