White House Releases Its National Climate Assessment

What's the story?

• Last week, the White House released its National Climate Assessment, a compendium of scientific knowledge and predictions on the impacts of climate change on American life. 
• The report concludes that the climate crisis will impact every aspect of life, from food to the economy to cultural heritage.
• The report is the fifth of its kind and was reviewed by hundreds of scientific experts.
• After the assessment was released, Biden said:

"Anyone who willfully denies the impact of climate change is condemning the American people to a very dangerous future. The impacts we're seeing are only going to get worse, more frequent, more ferocious, and more costly." 

• Read the full assessment here.

What's in the report?

• The report says that greenhouse gas levels are higher than at any point in the past 800,000 years, and that the recorded rise in sea level "was faster than in any other century in at least the last 3,000 years."
• It states that global temperature has increased faster in the past 50 years than in the past 2,000 years. The report points to the risk of extreme heat around the U.S. as an example of the real-world impact of climate change.
• The report says that extreme weather will impact every region in the country, with sea level rise, flooding, severe hurricanes and tornados, heat waves, and drought impacting millions of people, with the economically vulnerable being most at risk.
• Agriculture systems in the Great Plains are expected to be vulnerable, impacting national food supplies. Water supplies will also be impacted. 
• The report warns that climate change will "make food less available and more expensive," which will "disproportionately affect the nutrition health of women, children, older adults, and low-wealth communities."
• The assessment states:

"Despite an increase in adaptation actions across the country, current adaptation efforts and investments are insufficient to reduce today's climate-related risks and keep pace with future changes in the climate."

•  The report found that greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. declined 12% between 2005 and 2019 because the country reduced its reliance on coal and increased renewable energy usage. While this is positive, the report is clear that the U.S. must strive to reach net zero emissions within 30 years.

Is the U.S. doing enough to fight climate change?

-Emma Kansiz

(Photo Credit: NOAA)