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Wildfires in the northeastern United States: Evaluating fire occurrence and risk in the past, present, and future

Authors:

D Miller

Publication Type:
Miscellaneous
Year of Publication:
2019
Publisher:
University of Massachusetts Amherst
City:
Amherst Ma
Volume:
PHD
Year:
2019
Date:
02/01/2019

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most complex and challenging issues facing the world today. A changing climate will affect humankind in many ways and alter our physical environment, presenting ethical challenges in how we respond. The impact of climate change will likely be exacerbated in heavily populated regions of the planet, such as the Northeastern United States (NEUS). The NEUS is comprised of complex, sprawling urban centers and rural regions, both of which are vital to the economic and cultural character of the region. Furthermore, both urban and rural areas in the NEUS contain communities that have been historically susceptible to climate change (Horton et al. 2014). Over the past 120 years, average temperatures have increased by 2\textdegreeF, precipitation has increased by 10%, and sea levels have also risen (Kunkel 2013).