A risk-based assessment of the impacts of a changing climate in the U.S. Northeast

One of the unique characteristics of the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4) is its focus on the risks posed by a changing climate to the peoples, resources and livelihoods of the ten regions across the US and its territories. For the US Northeast, this framing encompassed the livelihoods, health and rich cultural heritage of its peoples, the juxtaposition of both highly urbanized and highly rural landscapes, the tremendous resources of its coastal and marine environments, as well as the many success stories that have played out in the realm of adapting to our changing climate. These risks, identified through a series of public meetings, translated into five central themes in the chapter: 1) the importance of seasonality as a key driver of the rural economies and livelihoods; 2) coastal and marine resources that underpin the region's iconic commerce, tourism and recreation activities; 3) the importance of the region's cities as multi-scalar hubs of cultural and economic activity; 4) the threats to human health and well-being due to thermal and air quality concerns, as well as sea level rise and; 5) examples of the proactive action plans being implemented to reduce the risks posed by our changing climate. Upon publication of the final report, these themes and their supporting products will be shared widely with constituents such as State Agencies, private sector entities and other decision-makers via a number of outlets including but not limited to, presentations and briefings, State Climatologists' outreach, meetings of local/municipal/regional organizations, as well as via peer-reviewed publications to address the research gaps that were identified throughout the NCA4 process.