Regional Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change refers to the consequences that occur when too many greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere and trapped. These may come from power plants, a car’s fuel pipe, landfills and energy usage. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap the sun’s heat and make the Earth’s overall temperature warmer, creating changes in the climate. It is predicted that our area will likely see the following changes in climate and weather according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): 

• Increased heat
• Increased precipitation events, both snow and rainfall
• Increased drought

Over 100 years of data have been collected for this region. The average annual temperature, as measured in Beltsville, has risen by 4 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, sea levels in the District of Columbia have risen almost 10 inches over the past 80 years. 

What Can I Do? 

The key to reducing the impacts of climate change in Bowie is collectively lowering our individual greenhouse gas emissions. The City conducted a Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory and found our biggest emitters are our residential energy usage and transportation sectors. Therefore, your choices will have the biggest impact on climate change in our community. 

Learn what you can do to reduce your emissions by reducing your energy use,using alternative transportation, composting and more. 

Climate Action Plan

With the help of the Environmental Advisory Committee and the Green Team we have now produced a brand new Climate Action Plan to run from 2020 - 2025. This document is available for viewing and will be accompanied by a public hearing at City Council on June 15, 2020. Between now and June 10 you may submit your public comments to the Sustainability Planner at aarmentrout@cityofbowie.org and the Planning Department Director at jmeinert@cityofbowie.org. This is an opportunity for staff and Climate Action Plan authors to hear your feedback and suggested edits. Look out for more details to come and view the draft 2020 -2025 Climate Action Plan here.

The original Climate Action Plan was approved by City Council on January 5, 2015 and provided insight and actions through 2020. This plan has now closed out. If you’d like to know more about the City’s work on the original Climate Action Plan, head over to our reports page for annual reports or view the original 2015 Climate Action Plan.