Global change alters the capacity of the Earth to sustain life. It encompasses global climate change and processes that interact with climate to affect Earth systems. The impacts of global change are being felt now, both around the world and here in the United States. America and the world are getting warmer, global sea level is rising, and some types of extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more severe. In some regions of the country, prolonged heat and drought are contributing to larger wildfires and longer fire seasons. For coastal communities, sea level rise, combined with...

The climate is changing, and these changes are affecting the world around us. In order to deal with the changes that are taking place now and to prepare for those that are likely to happen in the future, decisionmakers need information about global change and its effects on the Nation and the world we live in. This national scientific assessment integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) and draws from and synthesizes findings from previous assessments of the science, including reports and products by the Intergovernmental Panel on...

Observations show that warming of the climate is clear. The global warming observed over the past 50 years is due primarily to human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases. These emissions come mainly from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), with important contributions from the clearing of forests, agricultural practices, and other activities. This report combines information from a wide variety of scientific assessments and recently published research to summarize what is known about the observed and projected consequences of climate change on the United States. It combines...

Climate change, once considered an issue for a distant future, has moved firmly into the present. This National Climate Assessment concludes that the evidence of human-induced climate change continues to strengthen and the impacts are increasing across the country. Americans are noticing changes all around them. Summers are longer and hotter, and extended periods of heat last longer than any living American has ever experienced. Winters are generally shorter and warmer. Rain comes in heavier downpours. People are seeing changes in the length and severity of seasonal allergies, the plant...

This Fiscal year 2010 edition of Our Changing Planet highlights recent advances and progress supported by participating agencies in each of the program's research and observational elements, as called for in the Strategic Plan for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program released in July 2003. A new strategic plan reflecting President Obama's priorities is in preparation. The document describes a range of activities including examples of the USGCRP's contribution to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as progress in understanding Earth system...

"Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Global Change Research Program for Fiscal Year 2011" describes the activities and plans of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) established under the Global Change Research Act (GCRA) of 1990. The USGCRP coordinates and integrates scientific research on climate and global change and is supported by 13 participating departments and agencies of the U.S. government. This Fiscal Year 2011 edition of Our Changing Planet highlights recent advances and progress made by participating agencies and includes budget information on each agency's contribution....

"Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Global Change Research Program for Fiscal Year 2012" summarizes programmatic achievements, priorities, and budgetary information for the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) established under the Global Change Research Act (GCRA, P. L. 101-606) of 1990. The USGCRP coordinates and integrates scientific research on climate and global change and is supported by thirteen participating departments and agencies of the U.S. Government. As described in the new edition of Our Changing Planet, the USGCRP will build upon its foundational elements while placing...

"Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Global Change Research Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013" summarizes USGCRP's significant progress toward achieving its strategic goals and building a knowledge base that effectively informs human responses to global change . The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) coordinates scientific research across 13 Federal departments and agencies whose missions include understanding changes in the global environment and their implications for society. In accordance with the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (GCRA) the enclosed report summarizes USGCRP's recent...

"Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Global Change Research Program for Fiscal Year 2014" summarizes USGCRP's significant progress toward achieving its strategic goals, supporting the President's Climate Action Plan, and building a knowledge base that effectively informs human responses to global change. . The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) coordinates scientific research across 13 Federal departments and agencies whose missions include understanding changes in the global environment and their implications for society. In accordance with the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (GCRA),...