Climate Change

Science

There is widespread scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and that human activities are contributing to that warming. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global surface temperatures have risen by 0.74°C (1.33°F) in the last hundred years. Read more…

Causes

The most important anthropogenic (caused by human activity) greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, accounting for about 76% of global greenhouse gas emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalency (CO2 eq.) in 2004 and about 84% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in terms of CO2 eq. in 2005. Read more…

Impacts

The Earth’s changing climate has already begun to impact the natural environment. Hydrological systems are experiencing increased runoff, earlier spring discharge, and warming lake and river temperatures; in the arctic, melting permafrost has increased ground instability; plant and animal ranges are shifting poleward and to higher elevations; the ranges and abundance of algal, plankton and fish populations are changing. Read more…

Solutions

Mitigating climate change will require a combination of efforts by businesses, policy makers, and individuals. Increasing energy efficiency in our homes, offices and industries; producing more of our energy from renewable sources such as geothermal, bioenergy, solar and wind; reducing emissions from our cars and trucks; and numerous activities involving forests are all part of the solution to the climate change problem. Read more…

Resources

American Forests provides information and perspectives on policy issues related to climate change in a number of ways. We write editorials and letters to federal agencies and Congress, submit testimony, publish policy statements and provide other informational materials. Read more…