Adopt a Polar Bear
NASA Sea Ice Video
Wave Forward
Travel
SUPPORT WWF
Climate
Impacts and adaptation
Climate change will have pervasive and serious affects worldwide. The IPCC reports that severe weather already costs North America tens of billions of dollars annually.
© WWF / Canon - AdamOswell
Climate is changing rapidly and its effects already are being felt. The impacts will grow and will profoundly affect us, our kids, grandkids and subsequent generations; and will affect wildlife and everything else we care about. Our challenge: to slow climate change, to reduce our vulnerability and to adapt.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported the results of its fourth assessment of climate change where it devoted a volume of its assessment to climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. According to the report there is “observational evidence” that many natural systems on all continents and most oceans are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases. The effects are evident in ecoregions where WWF focuses its efforts, and if we do not address these impacts it will threaten the success of WWF's conservation mission around the world.
What can we do about it
One of the most important steps we can take to soften the impacts of climate change is to slow it down. This will improve our prospects for coping with climate change over the long term. However, climate already is changing rapidly and will continue to do so throughout the 21st century. We therefore must prepare. We need to inform ourselves and others about the potential impacts of climate change, reduce our vulnerability and ultimately take steps to adapt. Those efforts must include actions to reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems and natural resources. Some actions, such as steps to improve emergency preparedness, can be taken at the individual and household level. Others require actions by government, businesses or other organizations.
More on why it matters
News and Updates
-
Climate Change Likely To Add Fuel To Wildfires, Causing Greater Risk Of Respiratory Harm From Smoke Inhalation, U.S. Government Study Finds July 17, 2008
-
WWF Praises Gore For Climate-Smart Energy Vision July 17, 2008
-
New Report From WWF Projects Stressed Water Resources In Southeast U.S. Due To Climate Change July 10, 2008
-
Dr. Patrick N. Halpin To Speak At World Wildlife Fund July 09, 2008
-
WWF Briefing To Examine Impacts Of Climate Change On Southeast U.S. Watersheds July 09, 2008
Subscribe to WWF's Climate Feed
WWF Experts
Richard Moss
Vice President and Managing Director for Climate Change
“Climate change and what we do about it is going to transform the world much more rapidly than people realize. It’s my goal to get us moving to a world we will want, not one we’ll regret leaving for our children and grandchildren.”
Climate witness
Van Beacham is a professional fly fishing guide and lives in northern New Mexico. Van has been fishing since he was 6 years old. Over the years he has witnessed many of the effects that warmer temperatures are having on the river systems and the fish that depend on them.
» Read more
» View All Climate Witness Accounts
Expedition Diary
Take a journey with Lara Hansen, WWF's chief climate change scientist, to Fiji, where WWF is studying the effects of climate change