Obama ups ante with hard-hitting climate threat report

US citizens can expect poorer health, severe droughts and more severe storms thanks to climate change, according to a major new scientific report published yesterday by the federal government.

The report, entitled Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, was produced by the US Global Change Research Program, which assessed current and future impacts on the country from climate change.

It has been launched as part of an orchestrated campaign from the Obama administration which aims to secure public support for controversial climate change legislation currently working its way through the House of Representatives.

"Climate changes are already affecting water, energy, transportation, agriculture, ecosystems and health," said the nearly-200-page report, adding that increases in heavy downpours, retreating glaciers and thawing permafrost are already evident.

It noted that water security in many areas of the country will worsen as a result of climate change, and anticipated that weather extremes would pose significant challenges for crop production and livestock support.

"Human-induced climate change is a reality," said Dr Jane Lubchenco, administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a key agency involved in the production of the document. "Not only in remote polar regions and small tropical islands, but in every place around the country, in our own back yards... It's not just a problem for the future. We're beginning to see its effects in our daily lives."

The report predicted more intense hurricanes with greater storm surges, and added that many low-lying areas on the east coast, including parts of Manhattan, could be at threat from rising sea levels.

Risks to human health were also highlighted, with the report warning that ri sing average temperatures would lead to an increase in poor air quality and water-borne diseases, particularly in large cities such as Los Angeles.

"These changes will affect human health, water supply, agriculture, coastal areas and many other aspects of society and the natural environment," it concluded.

The report comes as House Democrats race to ensure a vote on the proposed Waxman-Markey climate change bill is completed before Washington breaks for the 4 July holiday.

The legislation, which would establish a nationwide carbon cap-and-trade scheme and set binding emission targets, is continuing to face opposition from Republicans and some Democrats, despite calls from the White House for the legislation to be passed before the end of the year.