Description
Book SynopsisAcross the United States, impacts of climate change are already evident. Heat waves have become more frequent and intense, cold extremes have become less frequent, and patterns of rainfall are likely changing. The proportion of precipitation that falls as rain rather than snow has increased across the western United States and Arctic sea ice has been reduced significantly. Sea level has been rising faster than at any time in recent history, threatening the natural and built environments on the coasts. Even if emissions of greenhouse gases were substantially reduced now, climate change and its resulting impacts would continue for some time to come. To date, decisions related to the management and protection of the nation's people, resources, and infrastructure have been based on records in the recent past, when climate was relatively stable. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change, part of the congressionally requested America's Climate Choices suite of studies, calls for a new para
Table of Contents1 Front Matter; 2 Summary; 3 1 Introduction; 4 2 Vulnerabilities and Impacts; 5 3 What Are America's Options for Adaptation?; 6 4 Managing the Climate Challenge: A Strategy for Adaptation; 7 5 Linking Adaptation Efforts Across the Nation; 8 6 Rationale and Mechanisms for Global Engagement in Climate Change Adaptation; 9 7 Major Scientific and Technological Advances Needed to Promote Effective Adaptation to Climate Change; 10 8 Conclusions and Recommendations; 11 References; 12 Appendix A: America's Climate Choices: Membership Lists; 13 Appendix B: Panel on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change: Statement of Task; 14 Appendix C: Panel on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change: Biographical Sketches; 15 Appendix D: Explanation of the Rationale for Reasons of Concern; 16 Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms
