finding 17.1 : key-message-17-1

The sectors and systems exposed to climate (for example, energy, water, and agriculture) interact with and depend on one another and other systems less directly exposed to climate (such as the financial sector). In addition, these interacting systems are not only exposed to climate-related stressors such as floods, droughts, and heat waves, they are also subject to a range of non-climate factors, from population movements to economic fluctuations to urban expansion. These interactions can lead to complex behaviors and outcomes that are difficult to predict. It is not possible to fully understand the implications of climate change on the United States without considering the interactions among sectors and their consequences. (High Confidence)

This finding is from chapter 17 of Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: The Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II.

Process for developing key messages:

The scope of this chapter was developed to fill a gap in previous National Climate Assessments (NCAs), notably the risks that emerge from interactions among sectors. Previous NCAs have touched on this subject, for example the energy, water, and land use chapter in the Third National Climate Assessment (NCA3). However, these assessments never included a chapter specifically focused on a general treatment of this topic. Emerging scientific research is highlighting the links between sectors and the potential complexity and implications of these interactions, from complex system dynamics such as cascading failures to management approaches and approaches to risk. These concepts were then incorporated into a detailed terms of reference for the chapter, outlining the scope and the general content to be included in the document.

The author team for this chapter was constructed to bring together the necessary diverse experience, expertise, and perspectives. Our authors brought expertise and experience in multiscale, multisector research and modeling, with a focus in specific sectors or sectoral combinations including critical infrastructure, energy–water–land interactions, and ecosystems. The authors also had expertise in complex systems science and previous experience in assessment processes.

The chapter was developed through technical discussions, a literature review, and expert deliberation by chapter authors through email and phone discussions. The team evaluated the state of the science on the analysis of sectoral interdependencies, compounding stressors, and complex system science. Case studies were drawn from a range of sources intended to represent the key themes in the chapter.

Description of evidence base:

A suite of examples across this assessment and within this chapter demonstrate the interactions between systems and the potentially important implications of these linkages. Examples in this chapter include Hurricane Harvey; the 2003 Northeast blackout; energy–water–land systems in California and throughout the nation; forest systems facing influences from wildfires, drought, and pine bark beetles; and the implications of the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone. Each of these examples is supported by its own evidence base; the linkages between systems and the importance of non-climate influences is self-evident from these examples. Beyond these examples, a small set of recent literature has begun to explore ways to more systematically quantify the implications of including sectoral interdependencies in climate risk assessment (e.g., Harrison et al. 20162a131189-94cc-4c86-bb51-2fc0bf6a4504).

In addition to literature specific to risk assessment in the context of climate change, there is a long history of research on complex systems87e9e534-034f-450c-b205-f268be5c2152 that raises the potential for a range of dynamics that might emerge from sectoral interdependencies and compounding stressors. This includes research spanning disciplines from meteorologyff6f1e9a-1875-438b-b628-c107c5de2396 to ecologyceb49ae3-99c4-4009-a382-c3f26891e687 to paleontology82abbb5d-1c8e-4178-82c3-249fb0fdf168 to computer science.a4feb2d0-0a82-4f20-98af-89c295b177c0 This literature supports the conclusion that more complex dynamics may occur when multiple systems interact with one another.

New information and remaining uncertainties:

The interactions between sectors and systems relevant to climate risk assessment are self-evident, and there are clear examples of unanticipated dynamics emerging from these interactions in the past. Yet our understanding is limited regarding the precise nature of complex system behavior in the context of climate risk assessment and its ultimate influence on the outcomes of such assessments. As noted in Key Message 4, the available tools and frameworks are simply not sufficient at this point to identify key risks emerging from intersectoral interdependencies and compounding stressors.

Assessment of confidence based on evidence:

We have high confidence in this message, because there is high agreement and extensive evidence that a range of critical intersectoral interdependencies and compounding stressors are present and relevant to climate risk assessment. At the same time, the precise impact of these on system dynamics is not well understood.

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