A report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program indicates temperatures in the United States will rise 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit on average in the next 100 years if greenhouse gas emissions increase at their current rate. The conclusion is part of a comprehensive report on the effect of global warming in the United States. One of the things that makes this assessment unique is the extensive public participation in defining issues of concern. We hope that many more people will take advantage of the review period to take a close look at our findings and conclusions. The report includes a national assessment and an evaluation of various regions, including the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Great Plains, West, Pacific Northwest, native homelands and islands.
Impact is measured on agriculture, human health, forests, coastal zones and water resources.
And the nature of the impacts on a resource can change over time. For example, forest productivity is likely to increase in the short term, while over the longer term, changes in processes such as fire, insects, drought and disease will possibly decrease forest productivity. In the U.S., I think we will be able to handle the changes associated with climate change. Overall, it's going to be a wash on the economy. There will be good and bad effects, with maybe a slightly net negative effect on the economy itself.