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Executive Summary. Over the past century, human activities have dramatically altered the natural landscape of California. Our historical legacy includes severe shrinkage and isolation of
natural habitats, altered flows in streams and rivers, extensive introductions of nonnative 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.