N.C. A&T Researchers Contribute Expertise to Statewide Climate Report

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 11, 2020) – Solomon Bililign, Ph.D., and Yuh-Lang Lin, Ph.D., professors at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, served on the climate advisory panel for the independent, peer-reviewed North Carolina Climate Science Report (NCCSR), released Wednesday, March 11. Bililign also contributed his expertise as a co-author of the report.

The North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies (NCICS) at N.C. State released the report, which presented key findings regarding historical trends and potential future changes in climate across the state as a result of increased greenhouse gas concentrations.

Bililign, whose research includes impact of biomass burning aerosols emitted in domestic use and wildfires on health and climate contributed to the wildfires section of the report.

As a key finding, the NCCSR determined it is likely that the climate conditions conducive to wildfires will become more frequent.

“Sharing this information is really important to help people be more proactive and take into account the potential in changing climate of our state,” said Bililign.

The NCCSR presented information for the state overall, as well as for the Coastal Plain, Piedmont and Western Mountain regions. Among other findings, the report also noted that average temperatures have increased for all four seasons.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration annual report indicated that 2019 was the warmest year on record for the state.

The NCCSR is a response to Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 80, “North Carolina’s Commitment to Address Climate Change and Transition to a Clean Energy Economy,” which in part called for the development of a risk assessment and resiliency plan.

The Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degree program offered by North Carolina A&T that covers these issues is one of only two programs offered at a historically black college and university nationwide.

To read the full report, visit the NCICS website.