For additional information, see the Northeast and Southeast Mega-Regions

The Workshop

A workshop was held at West Virginia University in Morgantown, May 27-29, 1998 as part of the series of US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) regional climate change workshops. This series of workshops is seen as a first step in a U.S. national assessment of the potential consequences of climate variability and change. The goal of the Appalachian workshop was to identify the possible social and ecological importance of current climate variability and the potential for future climate change to be further explored in a formal assessment. There are many unique economic, social, and ecological aspects of the central and southern Appalachian region that are derived, in large part, from the mountains that form it. The region already experiences stresses that are influenced by climate variability and change. Climate variability and national policies that attempt to mitigate the effects of future climate change will undoubtedly affect the resource-based economy of this region. The hope was that the dialogue initiated at the workshop would stimulate creative thinking and partnerships that will assist in the formulation of regional and national strategies for meeting the challenges of living in a changing environment.

Issues for Analysis

The proposed follow-up assessment would consider a limited number of key sectors that are critical in the Appalachian region. Three major areas are recommended for consideration in which impacts due to climate change could potentially be substantial; they are: Forests, Water, and Energy. Some of the cross-cutting issues that are related to the primary sectors listed above include: commerce, ecosystems, human health, and tourism. This region would also likely include some assessment of impacts of climate policy as well as impacts of climate change since this region is fairly dependent economically on energy production from coal.

Strategy for the Assessment

This region would build upon the workshop results with the assistance of a review committee to establish an overall assessment framework. The framework designers would include methodologies that would appropriately maintain and increase stakeholder involvement with continuing efforts to reach a broader public. There are no specific plans for a follow-up assessment in this region at this time.

• Richard Birdsey, USFS
• Amy Glasmeier, Pennsylvania State University
• Steve McNulty, USFS
• William Peterjohn, West Virginia University
• Trina Karolchick Wafle