As California is grappling with the deadliest wildfire in its history, President Donald Trump’s administration warns that such catastrophes could become more common and more severe as the climate continues to warm. Intensified wildfires are among the many problems that the US now faces, according to the second volume of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, released on Friday (November 23); hurricanes, heat waves, and disease outbreaks are other calamities that can already be felt in the country.
“Future climate change is expected to further disrupt many areas of life, exacerbating existing challenges to prosperity posed by aging and deteriorating infrastructure, stressed ecosystems, and economic inequality,” the report reads. “Without substantial and sustained global mitigation and regional adaptation efforts, climate change is expected to cause growing losses to American infrastructure and property and impede the rate of economic growth over this century.”
The 29-chapter report details the nature of these risks, ...
