The Atlanta area is experiencing record warmer, wetter weather. Smart Growth America notes that summer temperatures have increased about 3 degrees Fahrenheit every decade since 1970. In 2023, metro Atlanta experienced the second-hottest year in a century, marked by extreme heat events that forced schools to keep children inside and closed Zoo Atlanta. In September, Hurricane Helene brought historic damage as winds brought down trees and powerlines. The City of Atlanta was hit by record-breaking flooding rain (11.12 inches in 48 hours), causing rivers and streams to overflow, and leading to evacuations of residents from homes and stranded cars.
The region’s temperatures have risen over the last 30 years as a result of human-accelerated climate change. According to data from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), the statewide average number of county-level extreme heat days has doubled from fewer than 30 in 1980 to 67 in 2021. Metro Atlanta counties saw an even sharper increase from 15 days in 1980 to 48 days in 2021. Moreover, depending on whether we curb carbon emissions, heat trends are expected to increase in the future, with Atlanta seeing an average of 20 extra days of triple-digit heat by 2050.
More frequent and intense weather events remind us that climate change isn’t coming—it’s already here. The United Nations reports that atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), the greenhouse gas responsible for as much as two-thirds of global warming, are at their highest levels since the Industrial Revolution.
Increases in our global temperatures brought on by human activity are bringing rapid, widespread and lasting changes to our environment, health and economic stability. From droughts and wildfires to torrential downpours and mudslides, these extreme climate events are happening in communities across the state. Since 1980, Georgia has experienced more than 100 billion-dollar climate disasters – more than any other state in the Southeast.
While metro Atlanta counties and cities have taken steps to become more climate resilient, they still need the support of business leaders to help protect the region’s residents and the economy.
What’s driving this climate change?
Vehicle emissions
Metro Atlanta is now the sixth largest region, surpassing Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia in population—and we’re getting from point A to point B in our cars. Residents are driving even more than before the pandemic, with a nearly 17% increase in average daily vehicle miles traveled per capita. And that means more tailpipe emissions. A report by the ARC’s Research and Analytics Division shows that across the state, transportation emissions have significantly increased from roughly 44% of total emissions in 2013 to more than 55% in 2023. In the Metro Atlanta area, residential and commercial emissions have generally decreased while transportation emissions have spiked, especially in Fulton and Gwinnett counties. In fact, most of the state’s emissions across all sectors are concentrated around Metro Atlanta, which ARC researchers attribute to the impacts of population growth, urban sprawl, industrial activity, transportation networks and car dependency.
Swelling population
The Atlanta region is growing. According to the latest forecast from the Atlanta Regional Commission, metro Atlanta will add 1.8 million new residents by 2050—the equivalent of adding a population the size of metropolitan Nashville—bringing the area to 7.5 million people in total. The major driver of this growth is the economy, and ARC’s employment forecast anticipates adding 856,000 jobs through 2050. As metro Atlanta’s population continues to grow, so does traffic, along with residential and commercial construction, all of which drive up carbon emissions.
Climate-driven migration
Climate-driven migration could further change the region’s landscape, especially in the Southeast, as global warming causes people to rethink where they’re living. A report by Yale Climate Connections warns that metro Atlanta will experience an additional surge in new residents as rising sea levels displace coastal Georgia residents and others flee to the region to escape extreme heat, wildfires, flooding and drought. The report warns that the influx could be extremely challenging, taxing the area’s water supply and compounding problems that already exist with inadequate transit infrastructure, drainage systems and lack of affordable housing. Moreover, researchers say estimates are likely low as people who relocate to the area are joined by family members, have children and usher in another wave of workers needed to support the new population.
Impacts to business
When the pandemic hit in 2020, many businesses realized just how unprepared they were for a disaster. Those that could pivoted to telework, but even then the transition wasn’t easy for most. The physical risks of a warming planet are a threat to business continuity and to metro Atlanta’s current strong economy.
While it’s impossible to prepare for all scenarios, The Fifth National Climate Assessment, a federal report on national climate risk and response, warns that global warming can cause damages to businesses that dampen economic growth. Georgia has had the highest number of billion-dollar disasters of any state in the Southeast, with severe storms alone costing the state $60 billion since 1980. The report says that the cost of damages increases exponentially with every additional increment of temperature increase. These impacts can be felt in a variety of ways, including:
- Infrastructure damage: Storm winds and tornados that impact the Southeast, including metro Atlanta, can cause power outages for days. Hurricanes that batter coastal ports can disrupt supply chains, making it harder for businesses to meet customers’ needs and driving up production and shipping costs.
- Property damage: Wind, lightning and flooding can damage electronics and buildings.
- Crop losses: An increasingly warm climate threatens water supplies, land and crops. In 2023, 90% of Georgia’s peach crops were lost due to a warmer winter and bad weather, prompting a disaster declaration from the USDA.
- Workforce impacts: Extreme weather events can lead to labor losses due to injury, illness, lack of safety or inability to get to work.
3 regional strategies to address climate change
In metro Atlanta, the ARC has implemented three strategic programs to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by the transportation and building sectors.
- Georgia Commute Options (GCO): This program works with employers, commuters and schools to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicles on Metro Atlanta’s roads, particularly during peak times. GCO provides free services to motivate more people to choose clean commute alternatives and get rewarded in the process.
- Livable Centers Initiative (LCI): Created as a way to reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality, this grant program supports local jurisdictions in their efforts to make communities more vibrant, healthy and walkable, with increased mobility options and improved access to jobs and services. Learn more about LCI
- Green Communities: A voluntary sustainability certification program that helps local governments reduce their carbon emissions through actionable measures. The program provides a framework for cities and counties to help them lighten their footprint through such things as reducing energy and water use in municipal operations, providing curbside recycling to residents and businesses, and guidance on emerging green practices like rooftop solar and green infrastructure.
“Climate change slows economic growth, while climate action presents opportunities”
–NCA5
How to help reduce transportation emissions
In addition to participating in ARC’s programs, here are three more ways businesses can make a big difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting mobility.
- Electrify fleets – The electrification of fleet vehicles is a key strategy for organizations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promote a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system. Replacing 250,000 gas-powered cars with electric vehicles could reduce emissions by 1M metric tons by 2030.
- Enhance efficiency – Many buses, boats and trucks rely on diesel to operate. Reducing diesel fuel use in just 10% of trucks could reduce 1M metric tons of emissions in the state by 2030. Employers whose budget can’t accommodate conversion to EVs may choose to convert their fleets from conventional fuels to propane or another alternative fuel with a lower carbon content than gasoline and diesel fuel.
- Encourage alternatives – Changing from driving alone to more sustainable modes such as taking transit, carpooling, biking and walking, and teleworking helps reduce GHGs. In fact, eliminating 2.5% of vehicle miles traveled would reduce the state’s emissions by 1M metric tons by 2030. Businesses can help by offering commuter benefits that incentivize employees for choosing low- and zero-carbon alternatives, saving money for your company and your workforce.
Sources: Atlanta MSA Priority Action Plan (March 2024), Drawdown Georgia.
Georgia Commute Options—a program made possible by the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Department of Transportation—works with employers at no cost to develop commuter programs that move the needle on air quality in the Atlanta region. Let’s discuss how we can help.