Global climate change has already been affecting our lives in numerous ways and the US Government has now officially chronicled its effects in an extensive study. Prepared by the United States Global Change Research Program, a joint scientific venture of 13 federal agencies and the White House, the report analyzes natural and human-caused effects on the environment within the last 10 years. From the increase of tropical storm intensity, to the increase in heat waves, and even to the shifting migration patterns of butterflies, you can read all about it at www.globalchange.gov/usimpacts.
But for those of you who do not have time to read the full report, here are some of the key findings of the study (which are quite disturbing, to say the least):
1. Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced.
2. Climate changes are underway in the United States and are projected to grow.
3. Widespread climate-related impacts are occurring now and are expected to increase.
4. Climate change will stress water resources.
5. Crop and livestock production will be increasingly challenged.
6. Coastal areas are at increasing risk from sea-level rise and storm surge.
7. Threats to human health will increase.
8. Climate change will interact with many social and environmental stresses.
9. Thresholds will be crossed, leading to large changes in climate and ecosystems.
10. Future climate change and its impacts depend on choices made today.
The most important takeaway for anyone reading this report should definitely be finding #10. It is imperative that people wake up to the fact that climate change has been happening and that although we cannot effect natural climate change, we have the ability to make a large impact on human induced climate change. The choices we make today on how we manage greenhouse gas emissions will have significant impact on future generations, and it is vital that we create ways to reduce or avoid creating more undesirable effects.
For the press release on the report by John Holdren see the video below:
