Fellow Susi Moser speaks on sea level rise and flooding in this 2-minute video preview of the 3rd US National Climate Assessment.
Fellow Susi Moser contributed to the launch of the 3rd US National Climate Assessment at the White House on May 6. Among a team of over 300 experts, she was Convening Lead Author for the Coastal Zone Development and Ecosystems chapter. The launch was streamed live and recorded by C-SPAN.
On a panel that was asked “What keeps you up at night?” and “What gives you hope?,” Susi first speaks about the combination of climate change impacts and vulnerability of small coastal communities (at 51:30) and then makes a rousing case (at 58:20) for the human spirit as “the most important factor… in getting us onto a different path.”
An article by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) summarizes key conclusions of the Assessment:
Certain types of extreme weather events with links to climate change have become more frequent and/or intense, including prolonged periods of heat, heavy downpours, and in some regions, floods and droughts. In addition, warming is causing sea level to rise and glaciers and Arctic sea ice to melt, and oceans are becoming more acidic as they absorb carbon dioxide. These and other aspects of climate change are disrupting people’s lives and damaging some sectors of our economy.
These findings underscore the need for urgent action to combat the threats from climate change, protect American citizens and communities today, and build a healthy, sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.
CNN also covered the National Climate Assessment, offering this 2-minute video summary of impacts by US region. The following morning, the Assessment was featured on the front page of the New York Times.