Stable Climate 

Goal: Eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions and other destabilizing climate impacts

Our climate will be stable when we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy use and purchasing energy from renewable resources.

Stable Climate Indicators

State of Our Environment 2007

Climate change is expected to have an impact on Southeast Michigan. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, Ann Arbor is projected to be 5-10 degrees warmer in the winter and 7-13 degrees warmer in the summer by the end of the 21st century. Ann Arbor will experience more frequent hot days (in excess of 90 degrees) and extreme heat days (in excess of 97 degrees). By the end of this century, the climate of Southeast Michigan may resemble present day northern Arkansas in summer with winters that feel like those typically experienced in Ohio. Along with more frequent heat events comes increased heat-related illness. Precipitation in Ann Arbor is also predicted to be more frequent in winter and less so in the summer. Average annual precipitation is not likely to change significantly, but as temperatures rise greater evaporation is expected to occur. As a result, Ann Arbor will likely see drier soils and more droughts. It is important to note that some changes that will be experienced here in Ann Arbor will likely occur slowly, over many decades.

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists

Realted Indicators

Efficient Mobility	Vehicle Miles Traveled	Single Occupancy Vehicle Trips	Car Pool Commute Trips	Alternative Fuel Use	Bicycle Use	Walking Use
Healthy Urban Environment	Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Acres
Responsible Resource Use	Total Waste Per Capita	Percentage of Waste Stream Either Recycled or Composted	Total Tons Landfilled	Total Tons Recycled	Total Tons Composted
Sustainable Energy	Electricity Use	Natural Gas Use	Renewable Energy Use
Viable Ecosystems	Urban Forest and Street Trees

You can help

• Reduce your carbon footprint. Use EPA’s personal greenhouse gas emissions calculator and your household energy bills to estimate your household’s annual emissions and identify ways you can cut your emissions.
• Purchase carbon credits to offset any CO 2 emissions you can't live without. Compare different carbon credit vendors.