Literature review of the socioeconomic consequences of global warming and abrupt climate change in the Pacific Northwest
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Date
2004-02
Authors
Vasepalli, Renuka
Onsgaard, Greta
LeVan, Shanda
Doppelt, Bob
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Resource Innovations, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon
Abstract
This document examines some of the major research that has been conducted on the socio-economic consequences of global warming and abrupt climate change in the Pacific Northwest. The purpose is to: 1) identify and describe the research topics, methods, and conclusions that have been developed; and 2) to identify the gaps and future research needs related to understanding the potential range of socio-economic consequences of climate change in the Pacific Northwest. A majority of scientists and leading scientific organizations believe that human generated greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to a general warming trend of the earths climate. The environmental consequences of global warming in the Pacific Northwest may include, among other changes, reduced snowpack and thus less runoff from snow melt and reduced spring and summer streamflows; an increase in the intensity of storms and flooding concentrated in mid-winter months, drier and hotter summers, and sea level increase. The socio-economic studies reviewed in this document seek to understand and outline a range of possible socio-economic consequences resulting from these environmental changes. The study assess the potential consequences of climate change on agriculture, forests, estuaries and tidal marshes, salmon, the ocean and coastal communities, storm water and flooding, municipal and industrial water supplies, energy supplies, recreation, flooding, landslides, and human health impacts.
Description
60 p.
Keywords
Global warming -- Economic aspects -- Northwest, Pacific, Global warming -- Social aspects -- Northwest, Pacific, Climate change, Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Northwest, Pacific, Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- Northwest, Pacific