Regional Inequalities in Global Warming: Study in 48 U.S. States Reveals Climate Variations

The global warming does not affect all regions of the world equally, and these disparities could determine the success of climate policies.

A study conducted in the United States highlights an asymmetric pattern: while some regions face more intense summers, others experience the loss of characteristic winter temperatures. This phenomenon raises the need to reassess mitigation and adaptation strategies to climate change.

Regional inequalities in global warming

The research, led by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the Universidad de Zaragoza, focuses on 48 contiguous states of the U.S. and demonstrates that 41 states show an increase in temperature, although in diverse ways.

For example, the west coast experiences an increase in its annual maximum temperatures, while northern states observe increases in minimums. This indicates that climate change, although a global phenomenon, has distinct manifestations at the local level.

Experts warn that focusing solely on average temperatures can obscure these regional differences. Therefore, it is vital to consider territorial variations when formulating effective adaptation and mitigation policies.

Using the PRISM database between 1950 and 2021, researchers analyzed the full distribution of temperatures to identify these hidden patterns. The “warming dominance” tool revealed that, while only 27 states showed an increase in average temperature, 41 presented increases in parts of their temperature range.

In western states like California and Oregon, the temperature increase is due to a faster rise in maximums than in minimums. On the other hand, in states like North Dakota and Minnesota, minimums rise faster, softening the contrast between seasons.

This approach offers a new perspective on climate change, allowing for a better understanding of its regional effects. The differences can affect sectors such as agriculture and public health, as well as influence public perception and political commitment to climate action.

The study also suggests that states with more pronounced warming tend to lean politically towards the Democratic Party, while regions with smaller temperature increases are usually Republican.