Oklahoma

Legal Updates

July 2011

The State Environmental Quality Board denied OCT’s petition for rule making. OCT is working with youth and our partners to take further action to achieve the necessary emission reductions in Oklahoma. Please check periodically for updates on our next steps, and if you would like to get involved with the effort or if you have any questions, please contact us.

May 4th, 2011

Petition for rule making was filed with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Climate Change Impacts in Oklahoma

The following points are taken from the petition filed with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Click on the topics below for more information.

The Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS) reports that global temperatures have increased over the last century and that temperatures are expected to increase further in the next century. OCS acknowledges that these changes in climate cannot be attributed to natural variability alone, and that human activities have greatly influenced climate changes. OCS projects that global climate change will have local effects in Oklahoma, including an increase in hot weather, as well as record heat levels, and a decrease in record low temperatures.
The average annual temperature in the Great Plains region of the United States has increased approximately 1.5 degrees (Fahrenheit) since 1960-1970. By the end of the current century, temperatures are expected to increase further, anywhere between 2.5 degrees with lowest CO2 emission models, to 13 degrees with highest CO2 emission models. Summer temperatures in Oklahoma are expected to increase as much as 10 degrees by the end of the century.

Precipitation in Oklahoma is expected to increase between 10%-30% in the spring, summer and fall months, with an additional increase in the number of extreme wet days in summer. The frequency of extreme hot days is also expected to increase based on observations of current warming trends.The warm season is projected to arrive earlier in the year, and to last longer into the fall.

1. Impacts of Climate Change on Oklahoma's Water Supply

2. Impact of Climate Change on Oklahoma's Plants and Wildlife

3. Implications for Human Health with Climate Change Impacts in Oklahoma

4. Economic Impacts of Climate Change in Oklahoma