From larger, more intense wildfires to more frequent flash floods, global warming has added to the rising cost of natural hazards. Current spending on infrastructure isn't enough to cover repairs and upgrades. 

Potential effects of global warming include sea level rise, more frequent and more extreme heat waves, intensification of wet and dry regional climate patterns.

Global warming and related climate change are negatively impacting species and habitats across the country, including many that are economically and culturally important to Americans.  

Weather and climate occur on different scales of time and space, and depend on different aspects of Earth's environment. Weather describes atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place. Climate is the overall statistical characteristics of weather and environmental conditions, such as long-term averages and ranges of variability, for a given place and season.

Earth has warmed in the past due to changes in the Sun, volcanic eruptions, and naturally occurring increases in greenhouse gases. Our ability to understand and explain past changes is one reason we are confident that recent changes are due to humans. 

From heat-related illness, to the spread of pests and pathogens into new areas, to the accumulation of toxins in seafood, global warming is likely to have serious impacts on public health.

Considering some locations experience temperature swings of 30°F or more in a single day, warming of 1.8°F (1°C) might seem small, but Earth's annual temperatures are very stable when climate isn't changing.

How do we know we can trust the historical surface temperature record? How do we know the rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere comes from fossil fuels? Did global warming stop in 1998? Get answers to these and other frequently asked questions.

How do we know we can trust the historical surface temperature record? How do we know the rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere comes from fossil fuels? Did global warming stop in 1998? Get answers to these and other frequently asked questions.

Summary: Individuals, businesses, and municipalities working on climate adaptation in Puerto Rico can find information about climate change and local adaptation projects, as well as contact information for people working on climate change issues in Puerto Rico.