Indicators
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
At Home
- Use less energy more efficiently
- Heat smart with wood stoves and fireplaces
- Help Clean the Air Around Puget Sound
At Work
Related Information
Atmosphere
Indicator
This atmosphere indicator considers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mean annual temperature and air quality (air particulate matter (PM2.5)). The GHG emissions data is from emissions estimates completed by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The GHG reduction target was established in the 2007 King County Climate Plan. The scope of the GHG measure is geographic King County — including all of the households, businesses and vehicle travel. The temperature measure shows long term trend data for mean annual air temperature at SEATAC. The air quality measure is for levels of small particulate matter in our air as sampled at monitoring sites across King County.
As you can see from the pie chart, the priority emphasis is on reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is our number one air quality concern to protect public health, GHG emissions causing global warming will have unprecedented environmental, social and economic impacts. In fact, global warming is fast becoming the pre-eminent issue of our time both locally and globally. The temperature indicator shows the long term trend of warming in Puget Sound.
Within King County we are expecting a 50 percent loss of snowpack within 50 years. This reduction of snow (and snow-water equivalent) will adversely affect forests, farms, fish, hydropower and drinking water availability. There will be an increase in severe weather patterns causing more intense droughts and floods. There will be an increase in human disease such as West Nile virus from increase in mosquito infestation. Forests will be increasing at risk from Pine Beetle infestation and forest fires, even in wetter Western Washington. Sea level rise will erode coastline and affect infrastructure along our coasts. These are impacts just within King County. Additional impacts across the state, the country and the globe will add addition stresses to our economy and quality of life.
More information about King County's Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Mean Annual Temperature and Air Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) is available by continuing below to these indicators:
Back to top
