NCA5: Southern Great Plains

The Southern Great Plains comprises Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas – a culturally and ecologically diverse region with a large west-to-east precipitation gradient. Lands and waters are important to all who live in the region, but past management strategies are challenged by more erratic climate extremes. Economic prosperity is linked closely with energy, agriculture, and other climate-dependent industries, but transformations are occurring that affect both workers and companies. Sports and recreation are elements of healthy lifestyles and enjoyment for many people across the region, but health impacts have become more challenging with climate change. Communities, non-profit organizations, and others have been trying to relieve additional risks and burdens carried by families and neighborhoods that historically have been marginalized by government entities, but this work has become more critical as climate hazards become more frequent or extreme. Finally, governments and other organizations provide services (e.g., transportation, water, education) that keep communities functioning, but more erratic climate patterns pose risks to workers, budgets, and planning processes.

We will overview the main messages of Chapter 26: Southern Great Plains from the recently released 5th National Climate Assessment. We also will highlight research gaps that need to be addressed for future assessment reports and to help citizens, communities, tribes, and states across the region mitigate and adapt to a changing climate.