The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) is part of the National Climate Assessment series, mandated by Congress and published roughly every four years by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. These reports assemble teams of experts to synthesize information on current and future trends in global climate change, serving as an authoritative resource on the state of climate science in the United States.

The NCA5 Key Messages Tool, developed as part of the NC CASC’s 2024 Rapid Climate Assessment Program (RCAP), provides a state-specific summary of the NCA5 for the north central region of the US. It focuses on three key topics:

- Water, Precipitation, and Drought: This section explores water resources and examines climate-driven changes in precipitation patterns, along with related events such as droughts.
- Agriculture and Land Use: This section highlights regional agriculture and assesses the impacts of climate change on agricultural practices and land-based industries.
- Communities and Management: This section analyzes communities within the region that are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change or actively engaged in mitigation efforts. It also addresses regional management approaches and strategies for tackling climate-related challenges.

Read about and interact with the tool here.