This is a recorded audiobook reading of the summary chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment titled, “Overview: Understanding risks, impacts, and responses.” Listeners can also read the Overview chapter on the NCA5 website.

For navigation purposes, the episode is split into chapters, corresponding to the 5 major sections of the Overview. Those sections are:

• Section 1: How the United States is Addressing Climate Change (starts at 01:28)

• Section 2: How the United States is Experiencing Climate Change (starts at 13:00)

• Section 3: Current and Future Climate Risks to the United States (starts at 22:04)

• Section 4: The Choices That Will Determine the Future, and (starts at 48:26)

• Section 5: How Climate Action Can Create a More Resilient and Just Nation. (starts at 56:11)

The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) Companion Podcast is a limited series intended to introduce the report, showcase the perspectives of NCA5 authors and staff, and demonstrate how the Assessment can help inform decisions.

NCA5, which was released in fall 2023, is the US. Government’s preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks, and adaptation across the Nation. It is a congressionally mandated, interagency effort that brings together hundreds of experts from federal, state, and local governments, as well as the academic, non-profit, and private sectors.

Credits:

Narrator: Chris Avery, NCA Chief of Staff

Producers: Chris Avery, Allison Crimmins

Editing, Mixing, and Scoring: Mallory Hinks

Additional support: Allyza Lustig, Laurie Howell, Aaron Grade, and Michael Kuperberg

Music: AudioCoffee

Cover image: Chris Avery

Financial support: NSF

This podcast is produced by the US Global Change Research Program. All rights reserved.

Additional links:

• Read the NCA5 Overview chapter at nca2023.globalchange.gov.

• For more information on future NCA and USGCRP work, sign up for our newsletter at https://www.globalchange.gov/newsletter-signup