408 Climate Management Issues
social action. The way the program works, the National Assessment currently
consists of sixteen ongoing regional projects. For each of the regional stud-
ies, teams of scientists, resource planners, and other involved parties meet
to assess the region’s most critical vulnerabilities in areas such as agricul-
tural productivity, coastal areas, water resources, forests, and human health.
In addition to looking at potential impacts, the teams also work together
to identify possible strategies that can be used to adapt and respond to cli-
mate change. The overall goal of the project is to help those in the United
States prepare for future climate change. According to Michael MacCracken,
who heads the national