Research is focusing on future greenhouse gas emissions and cycling. Ecologists are investigating how plants, animals, and entire ecosystems respond to increased temperatures and alterations in water and gas cycles. They are also looking at how changes in ecosystems may have feedback impacts on the climate, particularly the rates and regional patterns of climate change. Scientists are exploring how oceans, clouds, pollution, and topography affect both global and regional climate and how to improve the accuracy of climate models. Technologies and strategies are needed for coping with climate change and its impacts.
Ecologists have much to contribute to the analysis of the global change problem.
While scientists continue to improve our knowledge of the potential impacts of climate change, it is not necessary for us to have complete and perfect knowledge to make sound decisions on how to respond to the issue. Changing Earth's climate is unpredictable, and while research is still being conducted to see what the impacts may be, we need to begin moving forward with actions to minimize the rate and extent of global climate change, mitigate existing changes, and adapt to changes as they happen. U.S. Global Change Research Information Office. U.S. Global Change Research Program. White House Initiative on Climate Change.