Climate Science Special Report

Every four years the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) delivers a report to Congress and the President that “1) integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the Program…; 2) analyzes the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, human social systems, and biological diversity; and 3) analyzes current trends in global change, both human-induced and natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years.”.

On Friday the federal government released the Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II. In 2017 volume I, of the Fourth National Climate Assessment was released. Volume I released last year, provides a detailed analysis of how climate change is affecting the physical earth system across the United States and provides the science that the assessment of impacts in in Volume II is based. Volume II focuses on the human welfare, societal, and environmental elements of climate change and examines the variability in observed and projected risks, impacts, and implications under different mitigation pathways. The report contains many examples of actions underway in communities across the United States to reduce the risks associated with climate change, increase resilience, and improve livelihoods that made me feel good.

The report is long!! I have only looked at a couple of chapters, and I believe that the two report together with the appendixes total more than 1,600 pages. You have three choices here go to your favorite news source and read their opinion to confirm whatever point of view you have. Or you could read the 196 page summary of findings  at the link below. I do, however recommend reading the 18 page summary of impacts.
https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/downloads/NCA4_Report-in-Brief.pdf

Finally, if you might want to read the 62 page Frequently Asked Questions in Appendix 5 of Volume II which is an amazing summary of the entire topic of climate change and its implications. In 62 pages you are caught up with the entire field of study and are prepared to have opinions and make informed decisions in your life and talk intelligently at social gatherings. Topics covered are:

• Introduction to climate change 
• Temperature and Climate Projections 
• Climate, Weather, and Extreme Events 
• Societal Effects 
• Ecological Effects 

https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/downloads/NCA4_App5_FAQ_FINAL_DRAFT.pdf

Volume I Citation:
Wuebbles, D.J., D.W. Fahey, K.A. Hibbard, B. DeAngelo, S. Doherty, K. Hayhoe, R. Horton, J.P. Kossin, P.C. Taylor, A.M. Waple, and C.P. Weaver, 2017: Executive summary. In: Climate Science Special Report: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume I [Wuebbles, D.J., D.W. Fahey, K.A. Hibbard, D.J. Dokken, B.C. Stewart, and T.K. Maycock (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA, pp. 12-34, doi: 10.7930/J0DJ5CTG.

Volume II Citation:

USGCRP, 2018: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., C.W. Avery, D.R. Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.L.M. Lewis, T.K. Maycock, and B.C. Stewart (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA. doi: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.