Recent Reports on Climate Change IPCC Working Group 1: Climate Change 2013 President Obama’s Climate Action Plan June 2013 U.S. National Climate Assessment (3 rd ) May 2014 American Climate Prospectus: Economic Risks in the United States June 2014 AAAS: What We Know: Reality, Risks, and Response to Climate Change March 2014

Key SPM Messages 19 Headlines on less than 2 Pages 2009: WGI Outline Approved 14 Chapters Atlas of Regional Projections 54,677 Review Comments by 1089 Experts 2010: 259 Authors Selected Summary for Policymakers ca. 14,000 Words

Figure SPM.1b Observed change in surface temperature All Figures © IPCC 2013

Figure SPM.10 Temperature increase and cumulative carbon emissions All Figures © IPCC 2013

President Obama’s Climate Action Plan 1. Cut Carbon Pollution in America Direct EPA to establish carbon pollution standards Make up to $8 billion available for fossil energy and efficiency projects Direct DOI to permit renewables on public lands by 2020 to power more than 6 million homes

Cut Carbon Pollution in America (2) Reduce carbon pollution by at least 3 billion metric tons by 2030 through efficiency standards Develop fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles Protect our forests and critical landscapes Reduce pollution of other greenhouse gases like hydrofluorocarbons

2. Prepare the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change Support local climate-resilient investment Take actions to help strengthen communities against extreme weather, flooding, and other climate impacts Create sustainable and resilient hospitals through a public-private partnership with the healthcare industry Maintain agricultural productivity by delivering tailored, science- based knowledge to farmers, ranchers, and landowners

Prepare the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change (2) Launch a National Drought Resilience Partnership Expanding forest- and rangeland- restoration efforts to make areas less vulnerable to catastrophic fire Provide climate preparedness tools and information needed by state, local, and private-sector leaders through a new Climate Data Initiative

3. Lead International Efforts to Address Global Climate Change Commit to new bilateral initiatives with China, India, and other major emitting countries Reduce U.S. government support for public financing of new coal- fired powers plants overseas Strengthen global resilience to climate change by expanding government and local community planning and response capacities

U.S. National Climate Assessment (3 rd )

1. Climate scientists agree: climate change is happening here and now. 2. We are at risk of pushing our climate system toward abrupt, unpredictable, and potentially irreversible changes with highly damaging impacts. 3. The sooner we act, the lower the risk and cost. And there is much we can do.

By making informed choices now, we can reduce risks for future generations and ourselves, and help communities adapt to climate change. People have responded successfully to other major environmental challenges such as acid rain and the ozone hole with benefits greater than costs. Scientists working with economists believe there are ways to manage the risks of climate change while balancing current and future economic prosperity.

Agriculture and other Land Use Example: Brazil Reducing deforestation while increasing crop yields From Nepstad et al., Science June 2014