Originally published on the CGS blog on June 17, 2009.
On June 15, 2009, the White House released a comprehensive report on climate change, explaining that its affects are already being felt. It acknowledged the role played by humans in causing the phenomenon, and warned that coastal U.S. waters are already suffering. Heavy downpours, temperature increases, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, altered crop seasons, and other such effects are attributable to global warming. Such impacts on the U.S. are projected to grow. Drought, floods, and water quality problems are expected to be major concerns. Crop and livestock production will be compromised with the increase in heat, water stress, diseases, weather extremes, and more favorable conditions for pests. Erosion, flooding, and property destruction are severe risks due to sea-level rise. Human health will also be harmed by heat stress, water-borne diseases, poor air quality, extreme weather events, and pest-borne diseases. To this end, we must reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases and particles, and work to adapt to current changes.
For more information, visit the website of the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
