Impact assessments provide an excellent means of interdisciplinary analysis and synthesis.
In the end it is the importance of addressing societal responses to regional climatic change that underlies our fundamental concern about global change. Criteria for selection of the two regions included their importance as economic zones, weather generators, and sensitivity to climate, as well as the presence of local Native populations, regional scientific expertise, research gaps to be addressed and the availability of potential funding to address these issues. Determine the cumulative impacts of these changes on the region, including assessment of past impacts. Investigate possible policy options to mitigate these cumulative impacts. Design and implement a field research program to address any gaps in the information which is needed for the impact assessment.