Bill Bradbury Addresses Climate Change Threats

By Cindy McSperitt · The Mainstream
Published Fubruary 22, 2012

Bill Bradbury outlined threats from global climate change in a slide show presentation at Umpqua Community College on Friday, Feb. 10. 

Bradbury has had a long career in Oregon politics, serving 14 years in the Oregon legislature, first as state representative in 1981 and then state senator in 1984.  He served as secretary of state from 1999 to 2009 and ran for governor in 2010.  In recent years, he has become a recognized leader in the fight against global climate change. 

Bradbury became involved in climate change in 2006 when he was among the first group of 50 people who traveled to Nashville for training by former Vice-President Al Gore. Gore was instrumental in setting up presentations throughout the U.S. on climate change.

Since then, Bradbury has given over 200 climate change presentations.

Currently, Bradbury serves as a member of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council which develops an energy plan for the Pacific Northwest, protecting fish and wildlife in the Colombia basin. The most recent report by the NPCC forecasts an increase of 30 percent in power demand in the Northwest by 2030. 

“Fortunately, 85 percent of this increase can be met through conservation,” said Bradbury.

The increase is largely the result of population growth, but the number of electrical devices being used in the home is also a contributing factor.

“Historically, increases in electric demand have meant increases in burning fossil fuels and, therefore, increases in carbon pollution”, said Bradbury.  “What we are finding now is that all that carbon is having quite an impact on the world as we know it.” 

Turning to his slide show presentation, Bradbury showed several photos of glaciers earlier in this century followed by photos taken in more recent years.  The difference in glacial melting was significant.  Bradbury said, “Glaciers change very slowly over time.  This is one of the biggest clues to how rapid changes are occurring.”

The presentation also referred to core data compiled by scientists drilling into the ice in Antarctica.  The core samples, Bradbury claimed, contain “little samples of the atmosphere” because bubbles get trapped in the ice and these samples have provided information going back 800,000.  “The deeper you drill, the further back in time you go,” said Bradbury.  

A chart of the data compiled from these core samples shows that, in recent years, concentrations of carbon dioxide levels have jumped -- levels in 2010 were 389 ppm. The Co2  normally ranges between 180 ppm to 280 ppm, 

At our current rate of increase, carbon dioxide levels are expected to be at 600 ppm in another 35 years.  “Our carbon dioxide levels are higher than they’ve been in the last 800,000 years,” said Bradbury.

Scientists have also been able to determine temperatures in the atmosphere based on the oxygen levels contained in the ice bubbles.  The findings on temperatures correlate with concentrations of carbon dioxide levels, indicating the two are directly related.

Bradbury said we are seeing evidence of this correlation now with nine of the hottest years on record being within the last ten years.  The hottest year on record for both land and water was 2010. He said this matches with the projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Bradbury brought the issue of climate change home when he talked about a few ways it appears to be happening here in Oregon.  He said our average wave height in 1975 was three meters, but now it’s four meters.  This one meter rise in wave height can push water 50 meters further inland.  If we were to experience a six meter rise in sea level, approximately 425 million people would be displaced and “essentially the maps of the world would have to be redrawn.”

Bradbury said shrinking glaciers can also be seen here in Oregon with the White River glacier on Mt. Hood showing a decrease in size of 61% since 1902.  With 75% of the water in the middle fork of Hood River coming from melting glaciers and snow pack, this reduction in the glacier means less water for irrigation threatening the agricultural areas along Hood River.      

The unconsolidated debris that lies under the glacier also gets exposed and can wash down with the rains causing a great deal of damage to property, bridges and roadways.   

Bradbury said climate change has also been linked to ocean dead zones along the Oregon coast.  One of the more severe dead zones happened in 2006 off the coast of Newport resulting in the ocean floor being littered with thousands of dead fish, crab and other sea life.  

Bradbury said one of his “biggest concerns” at the moment is the rising temperatures of rivers.  Scientists looking at water temperatures in the Colombia basin have determined that by 2040 several rivers could be too hot for salmon, including the entire Yakima River basin and the Snake River basin.  The Rogue River might also be too warm as well as sections of the Willamette. 

Bradbury said scientists also predict an increase in the risk of wild fires as well as changes in the native vegetation including the dominant tree species.  By 2080, instead of conifers, we could be seeing more mixed pines, hardwoods and madrones.  

“Clearly if no action is taken to prepare for the likely climate change impact, damage is going to amount to millions of dollars,” said Bradbury.

Looking at where carbon dioxide emissions come from, Bradbury used a bar graph that showed China to be the world’s worst offender producing 6.2 billion tons annually.  The U.S. was closely behind at 5.8 billion tons.  China surpassed the U.S. in 2006, but the carbon dioxide emissions on a per person basis are highest for the U.S. which creates more CO2 per person than any other nation, according to Bradbury.

The presentation mentioned several things that individuals can do to make a difference including weatherizing their homes, wrapping their hot water heaters, installing low-flow showerheads, and being careful with the use of lights and electronics. 

Bradbury wrapped up his presentation with an emphatic plea, saying “Please!  Get a grip on your plug load!” He recommended for those interested in more information, to sign up at climatereality.com.