Latest federal climate assessment presents dire warnings but also opportunities for hope
Despite progress, we still aren’t moving quickly enough to reduce our current climate-related risks or keep pace with future changes.
If there’s one thing the Fifth National Climate Assessment, released just last month, makes abundantly clear, it’s this: The climate change impacts our children and grandchildren will experience in the future depend on the choices we make today.
National climate assessment reports are mandated by Congress and provide the most comprehensive look at the state of climate change across the country and are designed to assist the nation in understanding, assessing, predicting and responding to human-induced climate change. Taking a positive view, the new iteration finds that efforts to adapt to climate change and reduce emissions are underway and expanding in every region of the U.S.
Due to the declining use of coal-powered electricity, U.S. emissions have decreased even while the economy and the population have grown. Specifically, increased capacities of wind, solar and battery storage technologies along with falling costs led to 80% of new power generation capacity in 2020 coming from renewable sources. Across all sectors, we’re seeing innovation expand options for reducing energy demand and increasing efficiency, and there is also a growing recognition of the important role natural climate solutions can play in removing and storing carbon from the atmosphere.
Now the bad news.
Despite this progress, we still aren’t moving quickly enough to reduce our current climate-related risks or keep pace with future changes. Climate impacts — hotter temperatures, more extreme weather, etc. — will increase exponentially and will impact every corner of the country, presenting risks to our water supply, food security, infrastructure, ecosystems, economy and health and well-being. The assessment also states that these impacts are and will continue to fall disproportionately on less wealthy communities, Black and Indigenous Americans and people of color.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that it’s not too late to act, as the assessment notes that “each increment of warming avoided through cutting carbon emissions will reduce the risks and harmful impacts.” That’s why the Land Trust Alliance is working nationally to highlight the importance of natural climate solutions and working locally with land trusts to identify and implement climate-smart strategies.
Natural climate solutions — things like forest protection and improved forest management, wetlands restoration and protection, grassland preservation and improved agricultural practices — use the power of nature to reduce the impacts of climate change.
To spur greater understanding and action, this year’s assessment looks to leverage the power of artistic expression by featuring diverse and powerful work from 92 artists of all ages and regions of the country. It also includes a companion podcast intended to introduce the report, showcase the perspectives of the authors and staff, and demonstrate how the assessment can help inform decisions. This limited series is available on all popular streaming platforms and the U.S. Global Change Research Program website.
For a detailed summary of the assessment and predicted impacts for each region of the country, check out this piece from the team at Inside Climate News.