US EPA Selects 24 Indicators of Climate Change

The U.S. EPA published a report to interpret 24 indicators of climate change it has picked out.

The 24 indicators are tracking quantifiable causes or effects of climate change and divided into five big categories.

1. Greenhouse Gases

1) U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2) Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

3) Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases

4) Climate Forcing

2. Weather and Climate

5) U.S. and Global Temperature

6) Heat Waves

7) Drought

8) U.S. and Global Precipitation

9) Heavy Precipitation

10) Tropical Cyclone Intensity

3. Oceans

11) Ocean Heat

12) Sea Surface Temperature

13) Sea Level

14) Ocean Acidity

4. Snow and Ice

15) Arctic Sea Ice

16) Glaciers

17) Lake Ice

18) Snow Cover

19) Snowpack

5. Society and Ecosystems

20) Heat-Related Deaths

21) Length of Growing Season

22) Plant Hardiness Zones

23) Leaf and Bloom Dates

24) Bird Wintering Ranges

Every chapter for each indicator offers exact sources of data sets. Explanation can be different from person to person. Reliable data sources are good for everyone from every environmental entity.

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Climate Change Indicators in the United States (EPA 430-R-10-007). Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency. [Full-text and Technical Information at http://j.mp/aivWpM]