Climate change impacts in North America

Extreme Weather Events: There is an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires, and severe storms.

Coastal Flooding: Rising sea levels are causing increased coastal flooding, particularly along the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast, threatening infrastructure and leading to habitat loss.

Droughts and Water Scarcity: The Southwest is experiencing more severe and prolonged droughts, impacting water supplies for cities and agriculture, and contributing to more intense wildfire seasons.

Agricultural Shifts: Changing climate conditions are affecting crop yields, with some regions becoming more suitable for different crops while others face reduced productivity.

Arctic Changes: The Canadian Arctic is warming at more than twice the global average rate, leading to melting ice, thawing permafrost, and changes in the habitats of Arctic wildlife.

Forest Health: Increased temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are contributing to pest outbreaks, such as the mountain pine beetle infestation, which devastate forests.

Sea-Level Rise: Coastal communities, especially in the Atlantic provinces, are facing risks from rising sea levels and increased erosion.

Water Stress: Northern Mexico is facing significant water stress and desertification, affecting both urban water supplies and rural agricultural productivity.

Coral Reefs: The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, along the Caribbean coast, is suffering from coral bleaching due to warmer sea temperatures.

Agricultural Vulnerability: Climate change is expected to impact rainfed agricultural systems, which are predominant in southern Mexico, leading to food security challenges.

Economic Impacts: The economic costs of climate change are significant, with impacts on infrastructure, health care costs due to heat-related illnesses and diseases spread by vectors like mosquitoes, and increased energy demands.

Health Risks: There is an expected rise in health-related issues, including heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems due to increased air pollution, and the spread of diseases.

Biodiversity Loss: Ecosystems across North America are experiencing shifts in species distributions, with some species facing increased risk of extinction.

Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous communities, particularly in Arctic and coastal regions, are disproportionately affected by climate change, which threatens their traditional lifestyles and livelihoods.

Migration: Climate change may drive migration patterns, both within countries and across international borders, as people are displaced by extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and changing agricultural conditions.