Global Climate Change

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Global climate models developed by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predict glacial retreat, rises in sea level, and other impacts on human and natural activity, from agriculture to migratory patterns. RAND researchers have studied and are continuing to examine the effects of climate change, particularly how governments and businesses respond to both observed changes and projected scenarios.

  • The Dixie Fire burns near Taylorsville, California, U.S., July 29, 2021, photo by David Swanson/Reuters

    Report

    How Climate Change Affects the Federal Budget and Legislation

    As climate change drives an increase in costly natural disasters, U.S. policymakers need to consider different mitigation policies. Projecting the effects on federal spending and revenue depends on a model that captures important relationships between climate, federal policy, and the economy.

    Sep 27, 2023

  • Lightning strikes near Annapolis, Maryland, April 20, 2015, photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program

    Commentary

    Stormwater Management in the Mid-Atlantic Region

    In the Mid-Atlantic region, flooding caused by extreme precipitation has occurred nearly every season since 2018—and the problem is only getting worse. How can stormwater management agencies use information about climate change to better mitigate flood risk and damage?

    Aug 30, 2023

Explore Global Climate Change

  • Tool

    Tool

    Mid-Atlantic Regional Climate Impacts Summary and Outlook: Spring 2022

    This climate summary aims to inform Mid-Atlantic policymakers and practitioners about spring 2022, regional climate trends, and the upcoming summer season. A tool shows an analysis of future projected changes in total monthly precipitation, compared to two baseline periods.

    Jun 27, 2022

  • RAND Weekly Recap

    Blog

    Synthetic Opioids, Ukrainian Grain, the Metaverse: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on countering the illegal flow of synthetic opioids, freeing up Ukrainian grain to prevent famine, the importance of defining the metaverse, and more.

    Jun 24, 2022

  • The words

    Multimedia

    Preparing for California's Edible Food Recovery Mandate: Findings from the Los Angeles Food Recovery Study

    Under a new state law, California must significantly reduce organic waste and recover some edible food from going to landfill by 2025. Is Los Angeles County prepared for the new mandate?

    Jun 21, 2022

  • A map of Los Angeles County with the words '88 Cities + the County

    Report

    California's Edible Food Recovery Mandate: One Solution for Two Problems

    Organic waste in landfills emits 20 percent of California's methane, and about 1.1 million tons of potentially donatable food were discarded in 2018. California's food recovery mandate, Senate Bill 1383, could make an important contribution toward mitigating the climate crisis and food insecurity.

    Jun 21, 2022

  • RAND researchers Jessie Riposo, Abbie Tingstad, Susan A. Resetar, and Jordan R. Fischbach.

    Multimedia

    Climate Change and Implications for Disasters in the United States

    Climate change is contributing to more frequent and more severe disasters. In this video, three RAND researchers discuss climate change and risks for disasters in the United States, drawing on examples from the Arctic, the Caribbean, the Northeast, and the Gulf states.

    Jun 10, 2022

  • Clouds of pollution released by an industrial plant, photo by rui_noronha/Getty Images

    Commentary

    How Could the United States Incentivize Investors to Decarbonize the Economy?

    While mandatory climate-related disclosure may improve information and decisionmaking for investors, it alone is unlikely to accelerate investment in decarbonization at the rate needed. To motivate private investment in climate mitigation, policymakers could explore additional policies.

    May 12, 2022

  • RAND Weekly Recap

    Blog

    A Peacekeeping Operation in Ukraine, Synthetic Opioids, Geoengineering: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on why it may be time to consider a peacekeeping operation in northern Ukraine, supporting veterans with traumatic brain injury, a new response to synthetic opioids, and more.

    Apr 29, 2022

  • A still frame from a short film created by artist-in-residence V+J. The video summarizes RAND’s 2021 paper on geoengineering as a tool to address global warming.

    Project

    The Risks of Geoengineering

    Geoengineering—the intentional manipulation of the climate—could help curb global warming, but it could also have world-altering consequences. In a new animated video, RAND artists-in-residence Juan Delcan and Valentina Izaguirre take a lighthearted look at this serious issue.

    Apr 27, 2022

  • Forest floor with clear glass marble engraved with globe map, photo by RomoloTavani/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Amid Climate Change, These Tech and Policy Experts See Reason for Optimism

    To slow climate change and adapt to the damage already underway, the world will have to shift how it generates and uses energy, transports people and goods, designs buildings, and grows food. That starts with embracing innovation and change.

    Apr 18, 2022

  • Earth ruling power concept

    Multimedia

    Observed Impacts, Future Risks, and Adaptation Solutions

    An overview of testimony by Robert J. Lempert presented before the Minnesota House of Representatives Committee on Climate and Energy Finance and Policy on March 10, 2022.

    Apr 13, 2022

  • Aerial view of a flooded town, with roads covered in brown flood water. Photo by Aranga87 / Getty Images

    Report

    Assessing Risk to the National Critical Functions as a Result of Climate Change

    National Critical Functions (NCFs) are government and private-sector functions so vital that their disruption would debilitate security, the economy, public health, or safety. Researchers developed a risk management framework to assess and manage the risk that climate change poses to the NCFs and use the framework to assess 27 priority NCFs.

    Apr 5, 2022

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    Tool

    Environmental Racism: A Tool for Exploring the Enduring Legacy of Redlining on Urban Environments

    Researchers developed an online tool for visualizing the spatial relationships between the discriminatory practice of redlining and exposure to environmental hazards (e.g., pollution, waste sites).

    Mar 31, 2022

  • A world map superimposed over people's raised hands, photo by Rawpixel/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Advancing Global Citizenship in America

    Concerted international action is required to address climate change and sustainability, pandemics, global security, and economic growth. But such action requires a sense of common destiny and shared responsibility among people across nations. What are Americans' attitudes toward global issues, and what could encourage them to become citizens of the world?

    Mar 24, 2022

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    Tool

    Mid-Atlantic Regional Climate Impacts Summary and Outlook: Winter 2021–2022

    This climate summary aims to inform Mid-Atlantic policymakers and practitioners about winter 2021–2022, regional climate trends, and the upcoming winter season. A tool shows an analysis of future projected changes in precipitation, compared to climate normals.

    Mar 18, 2022

  • Flood damage is shown in this aerial photo in Percival, Iowa, March 29, 2019, photo by Tom Polansek/Reuters

    Testimony

    Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation Solutions to Climate Change

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change brings together scientists from around the world to assess the current state of knowledge regarding climate change, and potential consequences and solutions. Its recent report has a strong focus on adaptation solutions but also describes where adaptation is falling short.

    Mar 10, 2022

  • RAND Weekly Recap

    Blog

    The West's Response to Russia, the State of the Union, Outer Space: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on how to prevent Russia's war on Ukraine from becoming a war with NATO, insights from RAND on the State of the Union, the future of outer space, and more.

    Mar 4, 2022

  • Wind turbines surrounded by fog in Costa Rica, photo by OGphoto/Getty Images

    Report

    A Green Costa Rican COVID-19 Recovery

    Before COVID-19 hit, Costa Rica had been taking a leading role in addressing the effects of climate change by investing in decarbonization. Could these same investments also accelerate Costa Rica's pandemic economic recovery and help address historical inequities?

    Feb 24, 2022

  • Illustrated graph shows how Costa Rica could reach net-zero emissions by 2050 under its National Decarbonization Plan. Achieving net-zero emissions is estimated to create a net economic benefit of $40.9 billion, visualization by Gabrielle Mérite

    Project

    Costa Rica's Carbon-Neutral Future

    In her final piece for RAND Art + Data, Gabrielle Mérite brings one country's vision for a carbon-neutral future to life. Her designs are based on RAND research that analyzed the potential outcomes of Costa Rica's National Decarbonization Plan.

    Feb 23, 2022

  • Brochure

    Brochure

    Spotlight 2021–2022

    Spotlight 2021-2022 highlights selected RAND Europe projects that address the important issues of our time. It also features research that is poised to make a difference in the coming year.

    Feb 23, 2022

  • An aerial view of Lake Hodges hydroelectric dam in Southern California. Photo by AutumnSkyPhotography / Getty Images

    Report

    Equity Metrics for Climate Adaptation in the Electricity Sector

    Social equity has become a key concern among public agencies. The authors developed an illustrative set of context-specific equity metrics that Southern California Edison could build on and incorporate into its ongoing work toward climate adaptation.

    Feb 17, 2022

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