Climate Change Connections Resource Background
The State and Regional Climate Change Connections highlight some specific climate change impacts for all 50 U.S. states plus Washington, DC and territories. The illustrative examples featured in this web area are not comprehensive summaries of all climate impacts for a given state or territory. The peer-reviewed spotlights are intended to be complementary to the broader climate impacts and indicators content on the EPA climate change site and available state and regional content from the National Climate Assessment, NOAA, and other resources.
This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about the resource. The page features several other resources to learn more about climate change at different levels.
- Why this approach?
- How were the topics selected?
- Where can I learn more about climate impacts at the state and regional level?
- Where can I learn more about Tribes and climate change?
- Where can I find national- and international-level information about climate change?
- Where can I find more resources about climate change for my students?
Why this approach?
Climate change is a global problem with far-reaching and varied impacts. Sometimes it can be hard to understand how something so massive and complex as climate change will affect our daily lives. As climate change will affect people and their environment differently based on where they live, the climate change connection entries are designed to highlight examples of the diverse changes happening across our country. This web area was designed to complement EPA’s web areas on climate change impacts by sector and climate change and health impacts.
How were the topics selected?
Because there are many unique and interesting elements in each state and territory, no single topic provides perfect or comprehensive representation. Therefore, it can be challenging to select one to focus on. Criteria for selection included the topic’s connection to climate change, availability of robust scientific literature documenting this connection and observed changes, and a broader intention to ensure a diversity of topics. There are many important climate change-related impacts that are not captured in these entries. You are encouraged to explore resources linked below to learn more about state, regional, and global impacts.
Where can I learn more about climate impacts at the state and regional level?
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s state climate summaries
- Regional chapters of the Fifth National Climate Assessment
- EPA Regional Climate Adaptation Contacts & State Websites
- Many state government websites feature information about climate change impacts. The department or office depends on the state. For example, it may be the State Climate Office, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, or something similar.
- Many towns, cities, and municipalities may have local and regional climate adaptation plans or information.
Where can I learn more about Tribes and climate change?
- Climate Change and the Health of Indigenous Populations (EPA)
- Tribal Air and Climate Resources (EPA)
- NCA5. Chapter 16. Tribes and Indigenous Peoples (USGCRP)
- National Tribal Air Association Climate Change Resources (NTAA)