Fires burned 485,000 acres and destroyed more than 300 homes and structures. 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. Climate projections for the Southeast Current climate models project regional temperature increases between 4 and 10 F by 2100, with an 8 to 15 F increase in the average summer heat index. Models differ on the changes in precipitation in the Southeast. This difference has serious hydrological implications for the region.