The third US national climate assessment: innovations in science and engagement

Abstract

Climate change poses numerous challenges for ecosystems, communities, businesses, and government agencies, and these challenges are becoming more visible across the globe. Over the last decade, conversations focused on documenting, anticipating, and preparing for climate risks have provided significant opportunities for interdisciplinary research and for transdisciplinary community building among scientists and practitioners. While some of these opportunities have become visible to contributors to large-scale, interdisciplinary assessments such as the periodic reports issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) they are increasingly evident in national- or smaller-scale assessment efforts as have been conducted in the UK, Australia, Canada, the European Union, and in the United States (US).

This article is part of a special issue on “The National Climate Assessment: Innovations in Science and Engagement” edited by Katharine Jacobs, Susanne Moser, and James Buizer.