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<br />December 21, 2009 Section 1: Introduction <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Page 1 <br />1. Introduction <br />Climate change presents one of the most profound challenges of our time. A broad <br />international consensus exists among atmospheric scientists that Earth‘s climate system is <br />changing in response to elevated levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere <br />primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels for energy use. According to the World <br />Meteorological Organization, the year 2009 is likely to rank in the top 10 warmest on record <br />since the beginning of instrumental climate records in 1850.1 Furthermore, 2000 – 2009 is likely <br />the warmest decade on record. <br />A recent comprehensive study of climate impacts on the U.S., written by a task force of U.S. <br />government science agencies led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration <br />(NOAA)2, states the following key conclusions: <br />1. Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced. - Global temperature <br />has increased over the past 50 years. This observed increase is due primarily to human- <br />induced emissions of heat-trapping gases. <br />2. Climate changes are underway in the United States and are projected to grow. - <br />Climate-related changes are already observed in the United States and its coastal <br />waters. These include increases in heavy downpours, rising temperature and sea level, <br />rapidly retreating glaciers, thawing permafrost, lengthening growing seasons, <br />lengthening ice-free seasons in the ocean and on lakes and rivers, earlier snowmelt, and <br />alterations in river flows. <br />3. Widespread climate-related impacts are occurring now and are expected to <br />increase. - Climate changes are already affecting water, energy, transportation, <br />agriculture, ecosystems, and health. These impacts are different from region to region <br />and will grow under projected climate changes. <br />4. Climate change will stress water resources. - Water is an issue in every region, but <br />the nature of the potential impacts varies. Drought, related to reduced precipitation, <br />increased evaporation, and increased water loss from plants, is an important issue in <br />many regions, especially in the West. Floods and water quality problems are likely to be <br /> <br />1 http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/press_releases/pr_869_en.html <br />2U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) 2009. ―Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States.‖ <br />Pages 12. http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts