An increase in rainstorms with extreme precipitation over the past 60 years serves as evidence for the existence of global warming, according to a report from Environment America.

The study found that since 1948, the number of heavy rainstorms has increased by 24 percent across the United States. While Illinois only saw a 4 percent increase, some sections had more dramatic findings. The southeast corner of Illinois had a 49 percent increase, the east north central region had a 22 percent increase and the St. Louis metro area had a 37 percent increase.

"More frequent downpours, fueled by global warming, will leave the Midwest even more vulnerable to dangerous flooding in years to come," State Director of Environment Illinois Rebecca Stanfield said in a news release.

According to the report, scientists predict that some areas will receive more rainfall and others will receive less, but when it does come, it will be in the form of heavy downpours and snowstorms.

Along with the heavier downpours, experts predict there also will be longer periods of dryness between storms, making droughts more likely.

Stanfield said evidence suggests the United States must reduce global warming emissions by at least 15 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050 to prevent worse effects from global warming.

"How serious this problem gets is largely within our control - but only if our country acts boldly to reduce the pollution that fuels global warming," Stanfield said.

Former Illinois Green Party Gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney said there are several ways to become more eco-friendly nationally and locally.

"It requires a major overhaul in how we produce, consume and transport energy and how we transport ourselves," Whitney said.

He said local governments should look at rail transit more, saying it would cut down on emissions and save people gas money.

Whitney noted that Murphysboro and Carbondale had the Interurban trolley in the early 1900s and with the number of commuters traveling from one town to the other, a rail system from Murphysboro to Marion would be beneficial.

"Rail transit isn't just for Chicago," Whitney said.

He said another major step in preventing further global warming is through education. While Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" made the issue more mainstream, Whitney said more people need to be made aware of what causes global warming and of alternate sources of energy, such as wind and solar power, to fight the problem.

Stanfield said laws like the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2007 make efforts to stop global warming, but they need to be strengthened so the United States can start taking the steps toward preventing the damage it causes.

"Steep reductions in global warming pollution are challenging but achievable, and we already have the energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies we need to get started," she said.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com / 351-5804