TY - ABST T1 - Confronting Climate Change in California: Ecological Impacts on the Golden State Y1 - 1999 A1 - Field, Christopher B. A1 - Daily, Gretchen C. A1 - Davis, Frank W. A1 - Gaines, Steven A1 - Matson, Pamela A. A1 - Melack, John A1 - Miller, Norman L. AB - Over the past century, human activities have dramatically altered the natural land-scape of California. Our historical legacy includes severe shrinkage and isolation of natural habitats, altered flows in streams and rivers, extensive introductions of non-native plants and animals, and pollution of the air, land, and water. As we enter the 21st century, a powerful new agent—global climate change—will increasingly interact with the human pressures that continue to stress California’s ecosystems. In the future, direct impacts generated by the state’s rapidly growing human population will be intensified by the impacts of climate change. Confronting Climate Change in California provides the California public and policy makers with insights drawn from the best available science—insights that may help us safeguard both our ecological heritage and our economic future. This summary highlights key findings. PB - Union of Concerned Scientists and Ecological Society of America ER -