2A Work Session 2009 1109 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 9, 2009 1. Introduction Section 1: Introduction Climate change presents one of the most profound challenges of our time. Abroad international consensus exists among climate scientists that Earth's climate system is changing in response to elevated levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels for energy use. A recent comprehensive study of climate impacts on the U.S., written by a task force of U.S. government science agencies led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAH)', states the following key conclusions: 1. Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced. -Global temperature has increased over the past 50 years. This observed increase is due primarily to human- induced emissions of heat-trapping gases. 2. Climate changes are underway in the United States and are projected to grow. - Climate-related changes are already observed in the United States and its coastal waters. These include increases in heavy downpours, rising temperature and sea level, rapidly retreating glaciers, thawing permafrost, lengthening growing seasons, lengthening ice-free seasons in the ocean and on lakes and rivers, earlier snowmelt, and alterations in river flows. 3. Widespread climate-related impacts are occurring now and are expected to increase. -Climate changes are already affecting water, energy, transportation, agriculture, ecosystems, and health. These impacts are different from region to region and will grow under projected climate changes. 4. Climate change will stress water resources. -Water is an issue in every region, but the nature of the potential impacts varies. Drought, related to reduced precipitation, increased evaporation, and increased water loss from plants, is an important issue in many regions, especially in the West. Floods and water quality problems are likely to be amplified by climate change in most regions. Declines in mountain snowpack are important in the West and Alaska, where snowpack provides vital natural water storage. 5. Crop and livestock production will be increasingly challenged. -Agriculture is considered one of the sectors most adaptable to changes in climate. However, 'U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) 2009. "Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States." Pages 12. http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts F ~ ~~~ Page 1 u ~°8~ea~rt®+~~