Montana’s average elevation is 3,400 ft. (1,036 m.) above sea level. The border of western Montana is formed by the Rocky Mountains and includes a section of the Continental Divide, the separation mark of the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds begins in Glacier National Park and runs south at one point, forming part of the southern boundary between Montana and Idaho. While western Montana is mountainous with highlands and the location of most of Montana’s natural lakes, eastern Montana is Great Plains with grassland prairie and scattered small mountains. Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River in northeastern Montana creates Fort Peck Lake, the world’s third largest reservoir. According to the 1972 state constitution, all water in the state, even water on private land, is under state control.
The average annual precipitation is 15 in. (38 cm.), with the higher mountain areas receiving more than 50 in. (127 cm.) with winter snow. To the west of the Rocky Mountains, mild air currents from the Pacific give cooler summers and warmer winters than the area east of the Rocky Mountains, which receives Canadian and Arctic air currents in winter, and warm moist air flows from the Gulf of Mexico, in summer. Average July temperatures vary from 72 degrees F (22 degrees C) in the southern plains, to 60 degrees F (16 degrees C) in the mountains, and average January temperatures are below freezing. The highest temperature recorded in the state was 117 degrees F (47 degrees C) on July 5, 1937, and the lowest temperature recorded in the state was minus 70 degrees F (minus 57 degrees C) on January 20, 1954.
The state supports a population of approximately one million people. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are mined in Montana. Forests cover 22 million acres, providing opportunities for commercial logging. The eastern part of Montana is perfect for agriculture, including beef, wheat, barley, and sheep. Western Montana’s milder climate is suitable for fruits (berries, cherries, and apples). Electricity is generated by coal-burning plants and by hydroelectric plants.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate models vary on the amount of temperature increase possible; however, potential risks include having decreased water supplies; increased risk for wildfires; population displacement; changes in food production with agriculture improving in cooler climates and decreasing in warmer climates; and change in rain pattern to downpours with the potential for flash flooding and health risks from certain infectious diseases from water contamination or disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents; and heat-related illnesses.
Park officials at Glacier National Park show glaciers are melting with warmer temperatures. Snow pack in Montana holds about 75 percent of the state’s water supply and acts as a reservoir that keeps streams flowing in the summer months. Warmer temperatures resulting in decreased snow pack could mean less water in Montana’s lake and streams during the summer months. Montana may benefit from changing climate. Shorter, milder winters could mean longer growing seasons and increasing crop yields, though higher temperatures may mean changing crops produced for those more adapted to a warmer climate and more drought-resistant. The milder climate could attract more tourists. Taking advantage of sun and wind to produce electricity could provide economic benefits.
ADDRESSING HUMAN-INDUCED CONTRIBUTIONS
Based on energy consumption data from the Energy Information Administration, Montana’s total CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in million metric tons for 2004 was 35.10, made up of contributions by source from: commercial, 1.08; industrial, 5.87; residential, 1.58; transportation, 7.73; and electric power, 18.84.
The Montana Climate Change Advisory Council (MCCAC) formed in 2005, with members appointed in Aril 2006, by the Department of Environmental Quality, includes representatives from industry, environment, local and tribal governments, transportation, and agriculture. It was given the task of inventorying and developing policy options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of their recommendations is to design a mandatory reporting program, as carbon emission-reporting is not yet required.
Montana holds observer status with the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative, in which the partners will set an overall regional goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will design a market-based mechanism to help achieve that reduction goal. Montana joined the Climate Registry, a voluntary national initiative to track, verify, and report greenhouse gas emissions, with acceptance of data from state agencies, corporations, and educational institutions, beginning in January of 2008.
During the 2007 Legislative session, lawmakers debated several greenhouse gas and climate change-related bills. Those approved include legislation to provide permanent property tax rate reductions for new investments in transmission lines for renewable-source electricity, liquid, and carbon sequestration pipelines, in addition to those available for new investments in biodiesel, biomass, and other defined technologies; prohibiting approval of new electric generating units primarily fueled by coal unless a minimum of 50 percent of the CO2 produced by the facility is captured and sequestered. Natural gas plants also must include cost-effective carbon offsets. The bill applies only to electric generating units constructed after January 1, 2007.
In addition to activities at the state level, the mayors of Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, in which mayors commit to reduce emissions in their cities to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. Missoula, Montana is the base for GlobalWarmingSolution.Org, a network of 35 member organizations representing 320 groups in the United States and individual supporters. Founded in 2003, the group’s mission is to advocate global greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Other conservation organizations active in Montana include the Montana Environmental Information Center, Montanans for a Healthy Climate, and Montana Trout Unlimited.
