New report: How climate change is impacting where you live

Ilissa Ocko

By Ilissa OckoFollow
Ilissa is an EDF Climate Scientist.
Published May 6, 2014 in ClimateScience

The National Climate Assessment (NCA) report, prepared by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, is essentially the U.S. equivalent of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Using the best available science, over 300 experts synthesized current understanding of observed and future climate changes and impacts, particularly in the U.S. The third ever NCA was released today, and concludes beyond a reasonable scientific doubt that Americans are being affected by climate change.

Among the findings:

  • U.S. average temperatures have increased by 1.3 to 1.9ºF since record-keeping began in 1895, and most of this warming has occurred since 1970
  • Heavy precipitation has increased in many parts of the country
  • Extremes such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and North Atlantic hurricanes are more frequent and/or intense
  • Summer sea ice in the Arctic has halved since record-keeping began in 1979
  • Sea level rise has increased coastal erosion and storm surge damage

These changing conditions produce a variety of tangible stresses on society by affecting human health, water resources, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems. The particular impacts vary by region, but no corner of the country is immune to the change. 

So what’s happening where you live?

Image source: National Climate Assessment 2014

NORTHEAST

Communities are affected by heat waves, coastal flooding due to sea level rise and storm surge, and river flooding due to more heavy rainfall events

SOUTHEAST

There is decreased water availability which is exacerbated by population growth and land-use change, and risks associated with hurricane extremes are increasing 

MIDWEST

A longer growing season and rising CO2 levels are increasing yields of some crops, but these benefits have already been offset in some areas by the occurrence of extreme events such as heat waves, droughts, and flooding

GREAT PLAINS

Rising temperatures are leading to increased demand for water and energy, which is affecting agricultural practices

SOUTHWEST

Drought and increased warming are triggering and sustaining wildfires, and reducing water availability for people and ecosystems

NORTHWEST

Earlier snowmelt is changing the timing of streamflow and reducing water supply in summer

ALASKA

Summer sea ice is receding quickly, glaciers are shrinking, and permafrost is thawing, causing damage to infrastructure and changes to ecosystems

HAWAII

Increased temperatures and decreased freshwater supply is stressing people and ecosystems, and reducing food and water security

COASTS

Water supply infrastructure and evacuation routes are vulnerable to higher sea levels which increase the risk of destructive storm surges and inland flooding

OCEANS

Oceans are absorbing a quarter of human-emitted carbon dioxide and over 90% of the heat associated with global warming, causing ocean acidification and further stresses on marine ecosystems

Unless we take immediate action to curb our emissions of heat-trapping gases, the foreseeable future will be plagued by further warming and worsening impacts. The good news is that because we know what the cause is, we also know what is needed in order to stabilize our planet. We must come together now—locally, nationally, and internationally—and work towards a better future.

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