US 'not prepared' for climate change

Climate change is already affecting the US, meaning it is no longer a future threat, according to a new report due to be unveiled today (Tuesday April 6th). The National Climate Assessment has been compiled by a large group of experts and scientists and looks at the ways in which climate change has already affected the US.

The report is being released in full at a White House event and is likely to be the driving force behind Barack Obama's environmental agenda for his final two years in office. It is expected that the findings detailed in the report will strongly influence the next and most ambitious stage of the climate change plan, which will be announced in June.

A draft version of the report pointed out that changes relating to the climate are already starting to be felt across the US, with summers increasing in length and winters becoming shorter. Many regions are experiencing changes in rainfall that are affecting their homes and businesses. 

The draft version of the report also said that although steps have been taken to mitigate the effects of climate change, many of the actions are not enough to have the desired impact. An example is coastal communities that will be affected by rising sea levels have not done enough to protect shorelines. Other areas, particularly the south east and south west of the US are not prepared for possible water shortages brought on by long periods of little rainfall.

Although some changes, such as the longer growing season brought on by the increase in warm months, have been viewed as positive, the impacts will be incredibly negative by mid-century if the trends continue. Some agricultural businesses are already suffering from the warmer weather, such as cherry growing businesses in California.

This report is the first time a climate change study has looked at what has already been undertaken in the US to fight climate change and protect citizens. Reports looking into mitigating climate change are meant to be released every four years under an act of congress, however; no report was released while George W Bush was president.