Climate change: Southeast United States and Caribbean

The U.S. southeastern states and Caribbean islands are considered highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  Sea level rise poses widespread and continuing threats to both natural and built environments and to the regional economy.  Increasing temperatures will affect public health, natural and built environments, energy, agriculture, and forestry.  Decreased water availability, exacerbated by population growth, will continue to increase competition for water and affect the region's economy and unique ecosystems.  Changes in land use and land cover interact with and serve to amplify the effects of climate change on southeastern ecosystems.