President Trump continues to downplay the idea of global warming, but a new report from his own federal agencies has a starkly different message. The Fourth National Climate Assessment says that human-caused global warming is not only real, it is already taking a huge financial toll on the nation, one that is expected to worsen. The report, compiled by 13 federal departments and agencies, is mandated by Congress every four years. Details:
- The report: Read it in full here.
- Key point: "Earth’s climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily as a result of human activities," the report states, per USA Today. "The impacts of global climate change are already being felt in the United States and are projected to intensify in the future."
- In the US: Among other things, the report warns of "more frequent and larger wildfires," worsening air pollution, decreases in water quality and quantity thanks to declining groundwater supplies, and a continued rise in sea levels, reports the Guardian. On the latter point, the report says average sea levels are up 9 inches from 50 years ago.