More heat waves. Thriving Northwest forests. Disproportionately hotter cities. Urban areas will face the double whammy of global warming and the urban heat-island effect, under which buildings and streets absorb heat, raising cities' temperatures. It was prepared by a panel that included government officials, academics, and representatives of industry and non-governmental organizations.
Air pollution is blamed for the increasing heat.
Among the worst offenders is carbon dioxide generated from the burning of fossil fuels. The gas forms an atmospheric blanket that traps the sun's energy and heats the earth. But even if steps were taken in the near-term to reduce emissions, the report says, the level of gasses already in the atmosphere will leave the world susceptible to climate change for the next century. According to the draft, the country must be prepared for the changes ahead, even if the exact effects remain uncertain at this point. After a public-comment period on the draft report, the final assessment will be presented in the fall to Congress and the president.