USGCRP releases two important climate reports

one

American impacts, risks and adaptation draws on the expertise of more than 300 authors from federal, state and local governments, industry, academia, tribal organizations and non-governmental organizations to assess a range of potential impacts related to climate change. the aim is to help decision makers better identify risks that can be avoided or reduced.

The main conclusions of the report include

Community

Climate change poses new risks and exacerbates the existing vulnerabilities of communities across the United States, posing increasing challenges to human health and safety, quality of life and economic growth.

Economics

Without large-scale and sustained global mitigation and regional adaptation efforts, climate change is expected to cause increasing damage to infrastructure and property in the United States and hinder economic growth in this century.

Interrelated influence

Climate change affects the natural, architectural and social systems on which people depend, and affects these systems through their connections. These interconnected systems are increasingly vulnerable to knock-on effects that are often unpredictable and threaten basic services within and outside the country's borders.

Actions to reduce risk

Communities, governments and businesses are taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement adaptation strategies to reduce the risks and costs associated with climate change. Although mitigation and adaptation efforts have expanded significantly over the past four years, they have not yet reached the scale considered necessary to avoid major damage to the economy, the environment and human health in the coming decades.

water

The quality and quantity of water available to people and ecosystems across the United States are affected by climate change, and the risks and costs of agriculture, energy production, industry, entertainment and the environment are increasing.

Health

The impact of climate change on extreme weather and climate-related events, air quality and the spread of disease, food and water through insects and pests increasingly threatens the health and well-being of the American people, especially those who are already vulnerable.

Indigenous population

Climate change increasingly threatens the livelihoods, economic, health and cultural identity of indigenous communities by destroying interrelated social, natural and ecological systems.

Ecosystems and services

Climate change is changing ecosystems and their social benefits, and these impacts are expected to continue. If there is no significant and sustained reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions, it will have a transformative impact on some ecosystems; some coral reefs and sea ice ecosystems are already undergoing such transformational changes.

Agriculture

Rising temperatures, extreme heat, drought, pasture wildfires and torrential rains are expected to increasingly damage agricultural production in the United States. Livestock health challenges are expected to increase, crop production and quality will decline, and changes in extreme events in the United States and abroad will threaten rural livelihoods, sustainable food security and price stability.

infrastructure

The ageing infrastructure of the United States is further under pressure from heavy precipitation events, coastal floods, high temperatures, wildfires and other extreme events, as well as changes in average precipitation and temperature. Without adaptation action, climate change will continue to degrade infrastructure performance for the rest of the century and has the potential to have knock-on effects that threaten the economy, national security, basic services and health and well-being of the United States.

Marine and coastal areas

Coastal communities and ecosystems that support them are increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change. Without significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions and regional adaptation measures, many coastal areas will transform in the second half of this century, affecting other regions and sectors. Even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced in the future, many communities are expected to be economically affected, as long-term high tide floods can lead to higher costs and lower property values.

Tourism and entertainment

Outdoor leisure, tourism economy and quality of life depend on the benefits provided by the natural environment, which will be undermined by the effects of climate change in many ways.

two

The second National carbon cycle report provides the latest scientific progress on the carbon cycle in North America (i.e., the United States, Canada and Mexico), as well as the links between the carbon cycle and climate and society. The message and climate change conveyed in the report are closely related to carbon scientific research and carbon management practices in North America and around the world.

The main contents of the report include

The Dynamics of carbon cycle in North America and the United States under the Global background

The carbon removal capacity of North American ecosystems accounts for about 11% to 13% of the global ecosystem carbon removal capacity. Although North America accounts for a large proportion of global carbon emissions over the past decade, North America's fossil fuel carbon emissions are decreasing by about 23 million tons a year. Global carbon emissions are still growing over the same period, so North America's share of global fossil fuel carbon emissions fell from 24 per cent in 2004 to less than 17 per cent in 2013.

The impact of fossil fuels and economy

Over the past decade, fossil fuel carbon emissions have remained the largest carbon source in North America. The United States currently accounts for 80% to 85% of North America's total fossil fuel carbon emissions. The slowdown in economic and industrial growth triggered by the economic crisis in 2008 has led to a reduction in fossil fuel carbon emissions in North America. With the economic recovery, due to the improvement of energy efficiency and the change of economic structure, economic growth and CO2 emissions continue to keep pace with the trend of reduction. Over the past decade, North America's CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use have fallen by an average of about 1 per cent a year, driven by various market, technological and policy factors.

The changing environment

On a global scale, land use change caused by social, demographic and economic trends is expected to emit 110 to 110 billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere by 2050. But the trend in the United States is just the opposite. current assessments show that improved forest management, forest restoration, and improved management of other ecosystems and resources will help the United States reduce carbon emissions.

Ocean acidification

Ocean acidification can adversely affect many marine biological populations and ecological processes, including? The creatures on which they live and the ecosystem services that sustain the economy and culture of North America. Ocean acidification occurs faster in the Arctic Circle and some coastal areas than in the open ocean. For example, over the past decade, low pH values in coastal waters of the Arctic and Northwest Pacific have become longer and more frequent, and these regional ocean acidification have increased these areas. The risks of people's lives. Will it be ensured that the maintenance and expansion of existing ocean observation projects, as well as coordination and cooperation with stakeholders? A healthier ocean, resilient communities, and the key to strong economic development.

Changes in the Arctic

The environment in the high latitudes of North America is changing faster than the rest of North America. For example, the surface air temperature in the Arctic is rising 2.5 times faster than the global average. This change destroys the stability of permafrost (that is, permafrost below a certain depth