Record downpours, 1998. May. New Orleans suffered its driest and hottest May in history. Global warming is likely to bring many changes to the nation. The United States as a whole is in a strong economic position to adapt to many of these changes, but adaptation is often expensive, not always possible or successful, and during transitions, ecosystems, communities, and individuals could suffer. Moreover, national impact summaries disguise local dislocations and disruptions to the ways we live, work and recreate.
Climate change adds a serious stress to our already threatened resources and treasured places.
Overall impact statements also mask significant opportunities. To minimize the negative changes and make the most of the positive changes we need to take a close look at how climate change will affect each region. Overview Rapid changes in the economy, population, and building technologies have dramatically reshaped the nature of weather and climate impacts in Texas and surrounding states. In the 1950's and 1960's drought impacts on water supply and agriculture were a serious hazard and large-scale threat to the Texas economy. Today the population of the state is concentrated in urban areas and the system of agricultural production is less vulnerable to drought.