' . human-induced climate change is a reality, not only in remote polar regions and in small tropical islands, but everyplace around the country, in our own back yards. It's happening. It's happening now. It's not just a problem for the future. We are beginning to see its impacts in our daily lives. More than that, humans are responsible for the changes that we are seeing, and our actions now will determine the extent of future change and the severity of the impacts. it is not too late to act.

Decisions made now will determine whether we get big changes or small changes. If we take immediate and sustained action to reduce heat-trapping pollution, we can in fact avoid the most severe impacts . Much of the foot-dragging in addressing climate change is a reflection of the perception that climate change is way down the road, it's in the future, and it only affects remote parts of the planet. The report does exactly what is needed at this time, which is to emphasize the reality of climate change, the fact that it is urgent, that we [need to] reduce heat-trapping pollution, and the fact that it is happening everyplace. That is the most important information for decision-makers to hear right now, . The sooner we focus on getting our house in order, the better we will be prepared to be players on the international scene.' Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.