National Assessment Synthesis Team

The following viewpoint describes the projected impact of global warming on the United States. It was excerpted from a report prepared by the National Assessment Synthesis Team of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. According to the report, referred to as the Assessment, the United States is expected to undergo rapid and potentially extreme climate change during the twenty-first century if no actions are taken to reduce world greenhouse gas emissions. The Assessment details how rising temperatures will likely strain the U.S. populace with environmental, social, and economic disruptions. Global warming may also unravel political and social stability abroad, posing a challenge for global security and U.S. foreign policy, according to the authors.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the Assessment, temperatures in the...