The recent report issued by the National Climate Assessment detailed many ways climate change is already impacting daily lives of Americans. It also explained how these affects will persist if people do not respond properly.
More than 300 experts contributed to the report. It provides an in-depth look at different sectors of the United States and how each is being adversely impacted by the warming climate. Specifically in the Midwest, agriculture will experience detrimental effects due to extreme weather events. The report does mention that with warmer weather, there will likely be longer growing seasons, however "the combined stresses associated with climate change are expected to decrease agriculture productivity."
The report also explains that the forest ecosystem is put at risk, increased temperatures will create dangerous heatwaves, and more rainfall could result in dangerous floods.
Don Fullerton is a government and public affairs professor at the University of Illinois. He said that changes need to be made in order to reduce the affects of climate change. In his own report, he explains how change starts with the policymakers in Illinois.
Listen to the interview with Fullerton:
