C3 Releases Report on Local Effects of Climate Change

This press release was published on July 1, 2020

While rising sea levels and tropical storms are well known consequences of climate change for coastal areas, Central Virginia will not be immune from climate impacts. The Local Effects of Climate Change, a new report released by the Community Climate Collaborative (C3), a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization based in Charlottesville, Virginia, highlights changes that we can expect in our community over the next decade and beyond. 

Among other findings, the report states residents can expect more flooding like the devastating flash flood of 2017 that left two people dead in Albemarle County; more droughts; extreme heat events and heat-related illnesses; rising energy bills; and changes to the area’s biodiversity among others. These hazards will impact our public health, our landscape, agricultural production, and energy bills with disproportionate effects to the most vulnerable in our community. 

“The rising temperatures that we will experience in Charlottesville due to climate change could prove dangerous to the health of our residents who are vulnerable to heat related illness and asthma,” said local Pediatrician Dr. Paige Perriello. “I am particularly concerned about those in our community with the least ability to mitigate these risks with energy efficiency or clean energy."

Key report findings:

• Precipitation is expected to increase over time and remain the top climate hazard for the Charlottesville area by 2050. Rising temperatures will cause rainfall to be less frequent, yet more extreme when it occurs.                 

• Under a high-emissions scenario, the average daily maximum temperature in Charlottesville is predicted to increase from approximately 70°F to 78°F in the next 80 years. 

• The number of days per year with a heat index above 105 °F has historically been isolated to a single day in Charlottesville; this number could potentially jump to 20 days in 30 years and 47 days by late century.   

• Rising temperatures due to human-led climate change will have serious health impacts, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, stroke, and even heat-related fatalities. Extreme heat will be most dangerous for people aged 65 and older, children below 5 years old, and those below the poverty line.      

• In the Charlottesville area, electricity bills are expected to increase by 67% by 2050 and 89% by 2100. Assuming a residential bill of $1,644/year, this would represent a surge of $1,100 to $1,460 on a household’s annual bill. 

“It’s important for Charlottesville area residents to be aware of the effects of climate change and how their daily life will be impacted in future years,” said Community Climate Collaborative Executive Director, Susan Kruse. “We can, however, significantly minimize these risks with immediate and ambitious action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

“The City of Charlottesville set its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions one year ago today,” said C3’s Director of Climate Policy, Caetano de Campos Lopes. “In order to prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, we can’t wait another year to begin reducing our emissions. These projected risks require action with urgency.”

To view the whole report, visit our policy reports page.

Chart below is from the Union of Concerned Scientists, excerpted from the report.

More About the Community Climate Collaborative

The Community Climate Collaborative aims to bring communities together to lead on climate. C3 works closely with citizens, businesses, and local governments to develop climate action plans to accelerate climate action with our residential Home Energy Challenge and the Better Business Challenge, delivering climate solutions that are practical, tangible, and quantifiable. Additionally, we develop and advocate for equitable climate policy solutions for adoption in the City and the County.

Website: theclimatecollaborative.org Email: teri@theclimatecollaborative.org Twitter: @c3climate

Instagram: @c3climate Facebook: Community Climate Collaborative

 PRESS CONTACT: Teri Kent, Director of Programs and Communication, Community Climate Collaborative, at (434) 466-5157 or teri@theclimatecollaborative.org

CBS19 covered this story. To watch, click here.