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While climate change and variability clearly affect each region quite
differently, there are issues of national importance that
transcend
regional boundaries. Though many such issues were identified, the
decision
was made to focus on five for this Assessment. These analyses
provide a
more integrated national picture of the potential consequences of
climate
variability and change, albeit a picture with regional texture.
These analyses also provide a basis for beginning to think
about
important interactions between sectors with regard to climate
impacts. For
example, the projected changes in the timing and amount of
precipitation,
and hence in water supply, will very likely have significant
implications
for the other sectors examined here: agriculture, forests, human
health,
and coastal areas and marine resources. Similarly, the increases
in the
use of fertilizers and pesticides that are projected for the
agricultural
sector have obvious implications for all the other sectors as
well.
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Overall
productivity of American agriculture will likely remain high, and
is
projected to increase throughout the 21st century, with northern
regions
faring better than southern ones. Though agriculture is highly
dependent
on climate, it is also highly adaptive.
Weather extremes, pests,
and weeds
will likely present challenges in a changing climate. Falling
commodity
prices and competitive pressures are likely to stress farmers and
rural
communities. |
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Rising
temperatures and greater precipitation are likely to lead to more
evaporation and greater swings between wet and dry conditions.
Changes in
the amount and timing of rain, snow, runoff, and soil moisture are
very
likely. Water management, including pricing and allocation will
very
likely be important in determining many impacts. |
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Heat-related
illnesses and deaths, air pollution, injuries and deaths from
extreme
weather events, and diseases carried by water, food, insects,
ticks, and
rodents, have all been raised as concerns for the US in a warmer
world.
Modern public health efforts will be important in identifying and
adapting
to these potential impacts. |
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Rising
temperatures and greater precipitation are likely to lead to more
evaporation and greater swings between wet and dry conditions.
Changes in
the amount and timing of rain, snow, runoff, and soil moisture are
very
likely. Water management, including pricing and allocation will
very
likely be important in determining many impacts. |
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Forests
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Rising
CO2 concentrations and modest warming are likely to increase
forest
productivity in many regions. With larger increases in
temperature,
increased drought is likely to reduce forest productivity in some
regions,
notably in the Southeast and Northwest.
Climate change is likely
to cause
shifts in species ranges as well as large changes in disturbances
such as
fire and pests. |
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