Some of the effects of climate change — such as a longer growing season in some regions and a longer shipping season on the Great Lakes — may benefit the economy in the short term, according to a study released today by the White House.
But these benefits will be outweighed by mounting damages as droughts intensify, flooding increases and heat waves and forest fires become more frequent, the National Climate Assessment says.
The report, which assesses the impact of climate change in the US, says if greenhouse gasses continue to worsen, warming could exceed 10 degrees by the end of the century.
The Obama administration hopes to use the report to build support for the president’s climate policies such as new regulations to limit carbon pollution from existing power plants that will be introduced next month.