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The report projects that Wisconsin will face significantly hotter summers, increased flooding, and agricultural disruptions if current emissions trends continue. Under a high-emissions scenario, Milwaukee could see more than 55 days per summer over 90°F by the end of the century. The document advocates for a transition to clean energy through renewable electricity standards, energy efficiency, and federal cap-and-trade policies to mitigate these risks.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that genetic engineering has contributed minimally to U.S. crop yield increases, with the majority of gains attributed to traditional breeding and other agricultural methods. The briefing distinguishes between intrinsic yield (potential) and operational yield (actual), concluding that GE crops have not increased intrinsic yield and provided only marginal operational gains, primarily in specific insect-resistant corn varieties. It advocates for shifting research and funding toward traditional breeding, genomic approaches, and agro-ecological farming, particularly for developing regions.

The document describes the use of IPCC emissions scenarios (A1fi and B1) and three global climate models (GFDL CM2.1, HadCM3, and PCM) to project climate variables in the U.S. Midwest. It details the distinction between higher-emissions paths, leading to 940 ppm of CO2 by 2100, and lower-emissions paths, leading to 550 ppm. The briefing notes that while these models reproduce historical regional climate features, they may be conservative as they do not capture recent rapid winter warming in the Midwest or the accelerated melting of polar ice sheets.

AB 32 mandates that California reduce its global warming pollution to 1990 levels by 2020 and further to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The law establishes a mandatory reporting system for large emitters and directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to implement a combination of regulations and a market-based cap-and-trade program to achieve these targets.

The document outlines the path of legislation in the US Congress, from introduction by a member of Congress through subcommittee and committee reviews, floor action in the House and Senate, and final presidential action. It details specific procedural hurdles, such as the Senate filibuster and the requirement for 60 votes to invoke cloture, and explains the various ways a bill can either become law or be vetoed.

The Climate 2030 Blueprint proposes a combination of an economywide cap-and-trade program and complementary sector-specific policies to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis argues that these measures can achieve deep carbon cuts while generating significant net savings for consumers and businesses, reducing oil dependence, and maintaining robust economic growth.

The document details the cost assumptions for oil, natural gas, and coal used in the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) Reference case. The UCS model primarily adopts assumptions from the EIA's AEO 2008 High Energy Project Cost and High Energy Price cases but modifies the duration of cost escalations. Specifically, the UCS Reference case limits pipeline cost escalation to 2014 and construction cost escalation to 2010, whereas the EIA often projected these increases through 2030. The text compares these assumptions with the AEO 2009 Reference case, noting differences in projected price trajectories for crude oil, wellhead natural gas, and coal through 2030.

This appendix lists 'off-the-shelf' vehicle technologies from 2008 models that reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption. It categorizes these into engine technologies (such as cylinder shutoff control, direct injection, turbocharging, and variable valve control), transmission technologies (including automatic manual, continuously variable, and six-speed automatic transmissions), and accessory technologies (specifically electric power steering). The document notes that while some designs offer modest gains individually, combining multiple fuel-efficient technologies can lead to greater reductions in carbon emissions and increases in fuel economy.

The report concludes that genetic engineering has failed to increase the intrinsic yield of any major food or feed crops and has provided only minimal gains in operational yield, primarily through Bt corn. Most yield increases in U.S. agriculture are attributed to traditional breeding and improved agricultural practices rather than GE traits.

The Union of Concerned Scientists advocates for a dual policy approach in the U.S., pairing a national renewable electricity standard with an economy-wide carbon cap. The document asserts that while carbon caps are essential, they are insufficient on their own to overcome market barriers such as high upfront costs and grid interconnection rules. According to UCS analysis, a 25% national renewable standard by 2025 would reduce power plant CO2 emissions by 277 million metric tons per year and save consumers $64 billion. Furthermore, integrating such standards with a carbon cap can lower energy bills by reducing reliance on natural gas and enhancing overall economic savings.

The Union of Concerned Scientists asserts that the United States requires federal legislation to overcome barriers in the planning and siting of transmission lines, which currently hinder the deployment of renewable energy. The document advocates for 'Green Energy Superhighways' to connect remote renewable resource areas to population centers, while emphasizing that federal authority should act as a backstop when states cannot agree on facilities of national interest. It warns that without a federal cap-and-trade system, transmission expansion in the Northeastern United States could inadvertently increase carbon emissions by allowing coal-based power to flow from non-RGGI states to those with emission caps.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis indicates that a national 25 percent by 2025 renewable electricity standard would create 297,000 jobs, generate $263.4 billion in new capital investment, and lower consumer energy bills by $64.3 billion by 2025. The policy would diversify the U.S. energy mix by increasing renewable capacity from 28,000 MW in 2007 to 248,000 MW by 2025, primarily through wind, solar, bioenergy, and geothermal sources. Environmentally, the standard would reduce power plant CO2 emissions by 277 million metric tons annually by 2025, equivalent to removing 45.3 million cars from the road.

The report examines the history of nuclear power cost overruns and subsequent bailouts in the U.S., arguing that current federal loan guarantee programs under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 create significant risk for taxpayers. It highlights a pattern of underestimated construction costs and a lack of private financing interest, suggesting that the potential risk exposure to the government could reach $1.6 trillion depending on the number of plants built.

The document examines the impact of emissions offsets on air quality in California under the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). It highlights a University of California at Berkeley study showing that while in-state offsets produce mixed results—reducing methane but increasing nitrogen oxides (NOx)—out-of-state offsets lead to an increase in nearly every air pollutant, effectively exporting air quality co-benefits away from the state.

The February 10, 2009 collision between the Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 satellites at an altitude of 470 miles significantly increased space debris in an already crowded region of low Earth orbit (LEO). The collision, occurring at speeds over 22,000 mph, created a debris cloud that spreads globally, threatening other satellites. Because atmospheric drag is minimal at this altitude, a large fraction of the debris will remain in orbit for decades, with roughly one-quarter of large debris expected to persist after 30 years. The document notes that the 700 to 1,000 km altitude band is already 'supercritical,' meaning collisions create debris faster than atmospheric drag removes it, potentially leading to a chain reaction. While international debris mitigation guidelines exist, the author argues they should be made mandatory and enforced, and suggests the development of space traffic management systems to preserve the long-term use of space.

The document highlights that atmospheric CO2 retention has increased, sea levels are rising faster than projected, and Arctic sea ice is plummeting more steeply than expected. It warns that the warming effects of CO2 will persist for at least a thousand years even after emissions stop, emphasizing the need for swift reductions in heat-trapping gases.

The document asserts that the United States must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 percent below 2000 levels by 2050 to avoid severe climate impacts. It argues that the cost of action is small relative to the global and national economy, while the cost of inaction is significantly higher, citing potential losses of over 3.6% of U.S. GDP annually by 2100. The text advocates for a policy mix of market-based cap-and-trade systems and sector-specific incentives, warning that 'safety valves' or price caps would undermine investment in new energy technologies.

The document highlights the success of renewable electricity standards in 28 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, noting they are projected to add 76,750 MW of new capacity and reduce annual CO2 emissions by over 183 million metric tons by 2025. It further advocates for a national 20 percent by 2020 standard, which would increase total renewable power to 117,000 MW and reduce projected power plant CO2 growth by 63 percent.

The document outlines the growth of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in the U.S., specifically focusing on the transition from produce-only shares to meat and egg 'buying clubs'. It highlights how these models support small-to-midsize farms through upfront community investment and risk-sharing. The text advocates for pasture-based livestock systems over confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), noting improvements in animal health and environmental impact. It also details the specific logistical challenges of meat CSAs, such as perishability and access to slaughter facilities, while providing case studies from Ohio, New York, and California.

As of February 2009, 28 U.S. states and Washington D.C. have implemented renewable electricity standards to increase the share of wind, solar, and bioenergy in their power supplies. The Union of Concerned Scientists projects these standards will support 76,750 MW of new renewable power by 2025, reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 183 million metric tons. While success varies by state—with Texas significantly exceeding its targets—the document argues that state leadership proves these standards can reduce market barriers, justifying a national renewable electricity standard to enhance energy security and fuel diversity.