Thread by @ryanstruyk

What struck me most in the climate change report is how our public understanding of climate change is *WAY* too narrow. The report paints a picture of climate change pervading literally *every* sphere of life. (1/thread)

Yes, it's more intense storms and rising ocean levels and increasing heat. But it's *way* more than that. So I made a list of what’s to come, according to the report. Warning: It's very, very long. Here we go:

- worse milk quality
- more heat exhaustion, heat-stroke and heart attacks
- reduced harvests of shellfish
- shortened downhill and cross-country ski seasons
- more stress on bridge integrity
- increased US international development assistance programs costs

- increased coral bleaching
- human migration away from coasts
- increased risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases
- fewer cold water recreational fishing days
- disruption of natural gas pipelines
- more dangerous heat on playground equipment
- increased homicides

- worsening urban social inequality
- increased duration of wildfire season
- saltwater intrusion into freshwater rivers
- more mental health impacts, depression, PTSD and anxiety
- delays on freight and passenger rail systems
- reduced efficiency of power plants

- more frequent and longer-lasting power outages
- more emergency responders to close flooded streets
- more disappearing species or extinction
- lack of groundwater for crop irrigation
- reduction in milk production from dairy cows
- increasing electricity prices

- increasing frequency and severity of allergic illnesses
- increased water intake for livestock
- more intense wildfires
- loss of labor hours and productivity
- increased risk of whales entangled in fishing gear
- increased demand for A/C
- higher wildfire fighting costs

- exacerbated crop stress
- dispersion of marine life in coral reefs
- degradation of water quality in lakes and streams
- declining oxygen levels in inland water
- challenges to fishery management
- worsening air pollution levels
- storm surge threatens power plants

- threats to indigenous peoples’ physical and mental health
- rising global sea levels
- reduced recreational opportunities in oceans
- outbreaks of coral diseases
- reduced fishery productivity
- more risk to pregnant women and children
- more fungal pathogens in food

- lower corn and soybean production
- more livestock deaths
- more expensive road maintenance costs
- depletion of earth dams
- more cardiopulmonary illness
- lower property values on coasts
- threatened food security in urban areas

- killing tropical coral reefs
- interference with fuel distribution systems
- increased worldwide human migration
- damage to native insects on trees
- more expensive pump stations in coastal cities
- increased cost of international aid
- higher fire risks for crops

- expansion of woody vegetation into grasslands
- disruption of coal deliverability
- decreased tree-growth in water-limited forests
- suffering oyster reefs
- reduced water quality
- damage to public transportation systems in cities
- changes to US military equipment

- worsening respiratory and cardiovascular health effects
- threats to indigenous peoples’ agriculture
- threats to historic landmarks
- shifts of major biological events
- decreased plant reproduction
- higher intensity of heavy rain
- reduction in biodiversity

- reduced ability of organisms to adapt to environments
- more spending to protect homes and property
- more heat-related illness
- increased economic costs to stop invasive species
- more expensive pump stations in coastal cities
- more damage to existing roads and bridges

- major losses generated by National Flood Insurance Program
- larger US military mission focus on climate-sensitive areas
- increasing incidence of insect outbreaks
- increased wildfire area burned
- increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits

- increasing coastal flooding
- inadequate water infrastructure
- exacerbation of pre-existing social inequalities
- depletion of soil carbon for plants
- damage to public transportation systems in cities
- collapse of ecosystem structures

- billions in losses by federal crop insurance program
- additional vulnerability for migrants
- habitat fragmentation
- higher heat stress for livestock
- increased demand for US humanitarian aid
- increased traffic delays due to flooding
- increased water-related illnesses

- more frequent disruption of local services like telecommunications, energy, water, healthcare, transportation in urban areas
- more intense severe storms
- more frequent flooding
- overdrawing of groundwater for irrigation
- reduced visibility
- rising ocean water temperature

- interference with fuel production
- some reduced fish harvests
- ocean circulation changes
- more sediment in groundwater
- more frequent devastation of power infrastructure
- more expensive cooling systems for livestock
- more at-risk roads and bridges on coasts

- more damage to electricity distribution lines
- decreased forest productivity
- exacerbated international conflict
- increased exposure to airborne pollen allergens
- lack of necessary groundwater
- marsh destruction
- more urban heat island effect in cities

- more stress on air transport like weight restrictions and longer takeoff distances
- rising ocean water acidity
- shifts in imports and exports of US trade
- more irregular water flows
- marine life colonizing new locations
- increased use of alcohol and tobacco

- hurricanes reach and maintain higher intensity
- flooding damage to railroads and pipelines
- deterioration of natural drainage networks
- declining food and forage production
- changes in livestock respiration rate, heart rate, blood chemistry
- longer allergy seasons

- worsening respiratory and cardiovascular health effects
- some reduced fish harvests
- marine life exposed to new predators
- more expensive bridge maintenance costs
- increased relocation costs
- increased emissions of air pollutants
- increased spread of invasive species

- increased effect of some insect species
- disruption in seasonal patterns misleading animals
- expansion of mid-latitude tropical cyclone jets
- decreased agricultural productivity
- challenges to fishery management
- shifts in fish stock distributions

And if you haven't read the full climate change report, now is your chance: nca2018.globalchange.gov