Indicators [Appendix 4]

Michael Kolian; Laura E. Stevens; Derek Arndt; Jessica Blunden; Erik Johnson; Ann Y. Liu; Sheri Spiegal; Rebecca L. Achey; Seth Bogle; Boyin Huang; Willem Klajbor; AnnaClaire Marley; Miranda H. Mockrin; Matt C. Reeves; Jared Rennie; William L. Royer; Hua Shi; William Sweet; Russell S. Vose; Steven E. Yochum

doi:10.7930/NCA5.2023.A4

Treesearch

Indicators [Appendix 4]

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Michael Kolian, Laura E. Stevens, Derek Arndt, Jessica Blunden, Erik Johnson, Ann Y. Liu, Sheri Spiegal, Rebecca L. Achey, Seth Bogle, Boyin Huang, Willem Klajbor, AnnaClaire Marley, Miranda H. Mockrin, Matt C. Reeves, Jared Rennie, William L. Royer, Hua Shi, William Sweet, Russell S. Vose, Steven E. Yochum

Year:

2024

Type:

Book Chapter

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7930/NCA5.2023.A4

Source:

In: Crimmins, A. R.; Avery, C. W.; Easterling, D. R.; Kunkel, K. E.; Stewart, B. C.; Maycock, T. K., eds. Fifth National Climate Assessment. Washington, DC: U.S. Global Change Research Program. p. A4-1-A4-38. Online: https://nca2023.globalchange.gov/.

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Download (PDF 7.99 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/67803.pdf

Abstract

To evaluate the impacts of climate change, it is essential to first understand the many ways in which our climate is changing. Indicators characterize how environmental conditions are changing over time to help communicate climate impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities. Indicators provide foundational science in support of the US Global Change Research Program’s (USGCRP) sustained assessment process, including the National Climate Assessment (NCA). In the NCA, indicators are defined as data (presented as charts or maps) based on historical observations and measurements that are used to track conditions, trends, and impacts related to our changing climate. Indicators show changes in physical, ecological, or societal systems and can represent data at varying scales, from global to local (Figure A4.1). Indicators are of most value when maintained and updated on a regular basis so that users and stakeholders can make informed decisions based on the most up-to-date information. Taken individually, each indicator depicts a specific change over time, while a broad set of indicators helps to show interconnections among the many components of global change and a warming world (Box A4.1). While each indicator has an important relationship to climate, it is beyond the scope of this appendix to explore these connections in detail. Attribution and causation related to a changing climate are discussed in other chapters throughout NCA5 (e.g., Chs., 2, 3, 15).

Keywords

climate change, indicators, environmental conditions

Citation

Kolian, Michael; Stevens, Laura E.; Arndt, Derek; Blunden, Jessica; Johnson, Erik W.; Liu, Ann Y.; Spiegal, Sheri; Achey, Rebecca L.; Bogle, Seth; Huang, Boyin; Klajbor, Willem; Marley, AnnaClaire; Mockrin, Miranda H.; Reeves, Matthew C.; Rennie, Jared; Royer, William L.; Shi, Hua; Sweet, William; Vose, Russell S.; Yochum, Steven E. 2024. Indicators [Appendix 4]. In: Crimmins, A. R.; Avery, C. W.; Easterling, D. R.; Kunkel, K. E.; Stewart, B. C.; Maycock, T. K., eds. Fifth National Climate Assessment. Washington, DC: U.S. Global Change Research Program. p. A4-1-A4-38. Online: https://nca2023.globalchange.gov/.