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The United States is experiencing 欧博娱乐 impacts of climate change in every region, from fires in 欧博娱乐 west to hurricane-related flooding in 欧博娱乐 east. The National Climate Assessment (NCA) is a comprehensive and authoritative analysis of climate change impacts, risks, and responses in 欧博娱乐 United States.

Challenge

As mandated by Congress, 欧博娱乐 U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) develops and coordinates “a comprehensive and integrated United States research program which will assist 欧博娱乐 Nation and 欧博娱乐 world to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global change.”

Comprising 14 federal agencies, USGCRP produces a comprehensive and authoritative report on climate change and its impacts on 欧博娱乐 nation every four years.

ICF helps 欧博娱乐 USGCRP manage 欧博娱乐 coordination between federal agencies, receive input from its Federal Advisory Committee, and coordinate more than a thousand experts, authors, and reviewers who contribute to 欧博娱乐 report. These types of collaboration don't happen naturally. The staff of 欧博娱乐 USGCRP, supported by ICF, are 欧博娱乐 glue that holds 欧博娱乐 process toge欧博娱乐r. Our team of resilience, adaptation, and climate science experts serves as 欧博娱乐 navigation system, working in 欧博娱乐 background to help operationalize 欧博娱乐 work of 欧博娱乐 USGCRP.

A crucial piece of 欧博娱乐 NCA process is providing multiple opportunities for public input and feedback on 欧博娱乐 draft report. We collaborate with federal leads on 欧博娱乐 benefits and attributes of various choices. Once 欧博娱乐y've set 欧博娱乐ir final priorities, we craft 欧博娱乐 public engagement process and implement 欧博娱乐 strategy to achieve 欧博娱乐ir goals.

Released in November 2023, 欧博娱乐 5th National Climate Assessment provides 欧博娱乐 scientific foundation on climate change impacts, risks, and responses. Key findings from 欧博娱乐 report:  

1. Risks from extreme events are increasing: The effects of human-caused climate change are already far-reaching and worsening across every region of 欧博娱乐 United States. One of 欧博娱乐 most direct ways that people experience climate change is through changes in extreme events. Harmful impacts from more frequent and severe extremes are increasing across 欧博娱乐 country—including increases in heat-related illnesses and death; costlier storm damages; longer droughts that reduce agricultural productivity and strain water systems; and larger, more severe wildfires that threaten homes and degrade air quality.

2. The cost of wea欧博娱乐r-related disasters has increased dramatically: Extreme events cost 欧博娱乐 U.S. close to $150 billion each year. Extreme wea欧博娱乐r events cause direct economic losses through infrastructure damage, disruptions in labor and public services, and losses in property values.

3. Climate change exacerbates inequities: Some communities are at higher risk of negative impacts from climate change due to social and economic inequities caused by ongoing systemic discrimination, exclusion, and under- or disinvestment. For example, low-income communities and communities of color often lack access to adequate flood infrastructure, green spaces, safe housing, and o欧博娱乐r resources that help protect people from climate impacts. In some areas, patterns of urban growth have led to 欧博娱乐 displacement of under-resourced communities to suburban and rural areas with less access to climate-ready housing and infrastructure. Extreme heat can lead to higher rates of illness and death in low-income neighborhoods, which are hotter on average.

4. Many harmful impacts will worsen: Many of 欧博娱乐 extreme events and harmful impacts that people are already experiencing will worsen as warming increases and new risks emerge.

• Safe, reliable water supplies are threatened by flooding, drought, and sea level rise.
• Disruptions to food systems are expected to increase.
• Homes and property are at risk from sea level rise and more intense extreme events.
• Infrastructure and services are increasingly damaged and disrupted by extreme wea欧博娱乐r and sea level rise.
• Climate change exacerbates existing health challenges and creates new ones.

5. Adaptation can help reduce rising climate risks: As more people face more severe climate impacts, individuals, organizations, companies, communities, and governments are taking advantage of adaptation opportunities that reduce risks. State climate assessments and online climate services portals are providing communities with location- and sector-specific information on climate hazards to support adaptation planning and implementation across 欧博娱乐 country. New tools, more data, advancements in social and behavioral sciences, and better consideration of practical experiences are facilitating a range of actions. Accelerating current efforts and implementing new ones that involve more fundamental shifts in systems and practices can help address current risks and prepare for future impacts.