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Sustainability in Context <br />1-3City of Arden Hills Energy and Sustainability <br />Days with Maximum Temperature <br />Above 95°F <br />This chart shows observed average number of <br />days with temperatures above 95°F for Ramsey <br />County from 1950-2010, the range of <br />projections for the historical period, and the <br />range of projections for two possible futures <br />through 2100.The total number of days per <br />year with maximum temperature above 95°F is <br />an indicator of how often very hot conditions <br />occur. Depending upon humidity, wind, and <br />access to air-conditioning, humans may feel <br />very uncomfortable or experience heat stress <br />or illness on very hot days. <br />(Source: US Climate Resilience Toolkit) <br />Cooling Degree Days <br />This chart shows observed average degree <br />cooling days for Ramsey County from 1950- <br />2010, the range of projections for the historical <br />period, and the range of projections for two <br />possible futures through 2100.The number of <br />cooling degree days per year reflects the <br />amount of energy people use to cool buildings <br />during the warm season. <br />Cooling degree days are calculated using 65°F <br />degrees as the base building temperature. On <br />a day when the average outdoor temperature <br />is 85°F, reducing the indoor temperature by 20 <br />degrees over 1 day requires 20 degrees of <br />cooling multiplied by 1 day, or 20 cooling <br />degree days. <br />(Source: US Climate Resilience Toolkit) <br />To serve the same size population, the projected <br />increase in air conditioning demand in the City <br />of Arden Hills will require an increase in city-wide <br />electricity consumption of by 2100.72% <br />The Future of Climate in Arden Hills <br />The climate in Arden Hills has already changed. From 1950 through 2015, the City has experienced an increase in annual <br />average temperature, an increase in the number of days above 95 degrees, an increase in the number of heavy rain <br />events, and a decrease in the number of days below 32 degrees. Over this 60 year period, the pace of change has <br />increased from 1980 to 2010. <br />Some of the most significant changes in the climate relate to variability. Climate variability can be seen in the changes in <br />annual precipitation for Arden Hills. Overall annual precipitation has increased, however, this increase is not evenly <br />distributed throughout the year. Spring and Fall precipitation have increased up to 25%, while Summer and Winter <br />precipitation have decreased 3-6%.(Sources: US Climate Resilience Assessment, University of Michigan Climate Center, State of <br />Minnesota DNR)