Global Warming Could Soon Cause More California Blackouts, New Study Says

A new report claims that blistering summer temperatures and air conditioning use will drain energy supplies and leave California residents without power.

According to KPBS, the research paper was published in an online journal called Earth's Future and it predicts the state will experience at least seven days without power each summer in the next decade.

Environmental engineer and the study's lead author, Renne Obringer, told KPBS that an expected global temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next decade will also increase the demand for air conditioning by 4%.

And if global temperatures increase by 2 degrees Celsius, then the demand for air conditioning will increase by 13%. Obringer said this would leave the nation's power grids overwhelmed and cities across the U.S. could be left without power for days or weeks at a time.

The new report also emphasizes that marginalized communities, including the poor and elderly, will be most affected by the heat waves and lack of air conditioning leading to sickness and death.

According to Obringer, California has an advantage because the state has the highest appliance efficiency standards in the nation. Obringer also said the purpose of the study is to increase awareness about the need to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions and alter the state that they need to prepare for increased summer energy demands.