The Potential Effects of Global Climate Change on the United States (5.9M pdf) is one of the most comprehensive published studies of the potential impacts of the greenhouse effect. It examines national effects and, more specifically, impacts on four regions of the United States: California, the Great Lakes, the Southeast, and the Great Plains. Fifty studies conducted by government, academic, and consulting scientists to examine impacts are included. EPA provided common scenarios of climate change to the scientists for use in their analyses. This report is an overview of the results of those studies.
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The Potential Effects of Global Climate Change on the United States
TABLE OF CONTENTSDownload the Executive Summary and Chapters 1 through 3 (1.1M pdf)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
CHAPTER 3: CLIMATE VARIABILITY
Download Chapters 4 through 7 (951k pdf)
CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER 5: FORESTS
CHAPTER 6: AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 7: SEA LEVEL RISE
Download Chapters 8 through 13 (1.3M pdf)
CHAPTER 8: BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
CHAPTER 9: WATER RESOURCES
CHAPTER 10: ELECTRICITY DEMAND
CHAPTER 11: AIR QUALITY
CHAPTER 12: HUMAN HEALTH
CHAPTER 13: URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
Download Chapters 14 through 16 (1.5M pdf)
CHAPTER 14: CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER 15: GREAT LAKES
CHAPTER 16: SOUTHEAST
Download Chapters 17 through 19 (898k pdf)
CHAPTER 17: GREAT PLAINS
CHAPTER 18: RESEARCH NEEDS
CHAPTER 19: PREPARING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
Please Note: Of the eleven volumes that comprise the Appendices to this report, only Appendix B is available online.
This document has been reviewed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency peer and administrative review policies and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Please send comments to James G. Titus, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460.