This assessment has involved thousands of Americans in an ongoing national dialogue about climate change and its impacts. The report identifies key climatic vulnerabilities of particular regions and sectors in the context of other changes in the nation's environment, resources, and economy. It also explores ways Americans can adapt to an uncertain and continuously changing climate.
1. Introduction; 2. Summary; 3. Our changing climate; 4. Tools for assessing climate change impacts; 5. Looking at America's climate; 6. Ecosystems in the future; 7. Our changing nation; Regions: 8. Northeast; 9. Southeast; 10. Midwest; 11. Great Plains; 12. West; 13. Pacific Northwest; 14. Alaska; 15. Islands; 16. Native peoples and homelands; Sectors: 17. Agriculture; 18. Water; 19. Human health; 20. Coastal areas and marine resources; 21. Forests; 22. Conclusions; Appendix: research needs; Acknowledgements; Glossary.
'... an excellent book to dip into ... it should be in the recommended reading lists of students of economics, politics and the sciences at school and university level, as well as of those whose professions can affect, or be affected by, climate change.' Jim Galvin, Weather '... represents the most up-to-date understanding of the potential consequences of climate variability and change for the US in the 21st century.' X. Lu, International Journal of Environmental Studies '... this is a required read for the climate change crew.' Susan M. Capalbo, Great Plains Research