The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today announced that 2006 was the warmest year on record in the United States, nearly identical to the previous record set in 1998.

"No one should be surprised that 2006 is the hottest year on record for the U.S.," said Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel, a climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists.  "When you look at temperatures across the globe, every single year since 1993 has fallen in the top 20 warmest years on record."

The burning of oil and other fossil fuels results in additional atmospheric carbon dioxide that blankets the Earth and traps heat. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased greatly over the last century and global temperatures are rising as a result.  The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is the highest it has been in the past 650,000 years.

"Heat-trapping global warming gases remain in the atmosphere for decades or centuries," said Dr. Ekwurzel. "Realistically, we have to start fighting global warming in the next 10 years if we want to secure a safe environment for our children and grandchildren."