Chapter 18 : Northeast. Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: The Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II
Abstract
The distinct seasonal-ity of the Northeast's climate supports a diverse natural landscape adapted to the extremes of cold, snowy winters and warm to hot, humid summers. The changing climate of the Northeast threatens the health and well-being of residents through environmental changes that lead to health-related impacts and costs, including additional deaths, emergency room visits and hospitalizations, higher risk of infectious diseases, lower quality of life, and increased costs associated with healthcare utilization. Maintaining functioning, sustainable communities in the face of climate change requires effective adaptation strategies that anticipate and buffer impacts, while also enabling communities to capitalize upon new opportunities. Although timely adaptation to climate-related impacts would help reduce threats to people's health, safety, economic wellbeing, and ways of life, changes to those societal elements will not be avoided completely.
