An affiliated website was created specifically for the 2009 National Climate Assessment so that the report would be more accessible to a variety of interested readers.
Visit the "Executive Summary" page on the 2009 National Climate Assessment website to find more information on the following key findings from the report:
Click here to download the "Executive Summary" chapter from the report
- Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced.
- Climate changes are underway in the United States and are projected to grow.
- Widespread climate-related impacts are occurring now and are expected to increase.
- Climate change will stress water resources.
- Crop and livestock production will be increasingly challenged.
- Coastal areas are at increasing risk from sea-level rise and storm surge.
- Threats to human health will increase.
- Climate change will interact with many social and environmental stresses.
- Thresholds will be crossed, leading to large changes in climate and ecosystems.
- Future climate change and its impacts depend on choices made today.