Climate Change Impacts on the United States - Overview Report: The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change

Climate Change Impacts on the United States is part of a national process of research analysis and dialogue about the coming changes in climate, their impacts, and what Americans can do to adapt to an uncertain and continuously changing climate. The report was called for by a 1990 law and was written by the National Assessment Synthesis Team (NAST), a committee of experts drawn from governments, universities, industry, and non-governmental organizations with a wide range of expertise and perspective. The NAST produced two documents: the longer Foundation Report and the Overview Report, which is significantly more accessible and shorter. The two reports cover all areas of the United States and are peer-reviewed documents that synthesize results from studies. They identify key climatic vulnerabilities of particular regions and sectors in the context of other changes in the nation's environment, resources, and economy.