This resource list is specific to this region and provides both comprehensive and topic-specific information related to climate change, ecosystem vulnerability, and adaptation. A list of the major science organizations and partners within the region is also provided, and we encourage you to connect with them should you require further resources.

The resources listed below include a variety of published reports, including the 2018 National Climate Change Assessment and various ecosystem-based vulnerability assessments produced by partners in this region. Be sure to also familiarize yourself with the Explore Climate Impacts tool found at AdaptationWorkbook.org. There you can explore short but detailed summaries of how climate change is expected to impact or further impact your region.

Before diving into climate change resources, if you feel like you need a refresher on climate change basics consider accessing our education modules (~30 min long). The modules feature information on Climate 101, Climate effects on Forests, Climate Adaptation, and Forest-Carbon management 

USFS Climate Education Modules

 

Some selected resources:

Portals and informational warehouses 

• State of Hawaii Climate Change Portal - Find climate change tools, adaptation and mitigation reports
• Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative - Find vulnerability assessments on plants, birds and ecosystems; find adaptation strategies and case studies

Comprehensive Reports

• Fourth National Climate Assessment: Hawai'i and U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands 
• Hawaiian Islands Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation Synthesis

More climate change resources...

Climate

• US Climate Resilience Toolkit - Hawai‘i and Pacific Islands (2017)
• Data tool - NOAA Climate Explorer (Explore graphs and maps of historical and projected climate variables for any county in the contiguous United States)
• Observed Rainfall Atlas of Hawaii
• Observed Climate of Hawaii (interactive map)
• USFS Climate Change Resource Center’s resources for Pacific Southwest Region
• Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization - Hawaii Fire and Drought maps https://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/statewide-mapping-planning; Infographic Factsheet: Climate Change Impacts on Wildfires in Hawai'i
• Climate Matters documents (video series) - Pacific RISA learn about climate impacts to reefs, ranching, beaches and economy in the Hawai’i islands.
• NOAA Statewide summaries of observed and future climate change
• Observed drought data for all regions

Forestry/Vegetation

• Effects of drought on forests and rangelands in the United States: translating science into management responses - Hawai’i and US affiliated Pacfic Islands
• Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative - Find vulnerability assessments on plants, birds and ecosystems

  National Climate Assessment (2018) - Hawai’i chapter:

• Vulnerability of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity
• Vulnerability of coastal ecosystems
• Vulnerability of ocean and marine resources 

Adaptation Resources and Examples

• Climate Change in the Hawaiian Islands
• A Framework for Climate Change Adaptation in Hawaii
• NOAA SeaGrant Building Resilience to Coastal Hazards and Climate Change in Hawai‘i - Tools & guidance on how to integrate climate change into community planning 
• NOAA HI SeaGrant Disaster Reconstruction Planning guidance 
• EPA Synthesis of Adaptation Options for Coastal Areas
• EPA Climate Ready Estuaries Rolling Easements Primer
• EPA Risk Based Adaptation Resources for Shoreline, Coastal and Estuaries

Hydrology

• Climate Science Special Report (2017) Sea Level Rise
• Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System Hawai'i Sea Level Rise Viewer Tool
• NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer Tool
• Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report (2018)
• Pacific RISA - Groundwater modeling - Assessing Sustainability of Groundwater Resources Under Future Climate Change Conditions 

Ecosystems

• EPA Climate Change in Coastal Communities: What are the potential impacts of climate change to estuaries and coastal areas?
• Coast Adapt - fact sheet: Climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems 
• Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment’s case studies on - Hawaiian birds, Pacific coral reef management, fish populations

Carbon

• Baseline and Projected Future Carbon Storage and Carbon Fluxes in Ecosystems of Hawai‘i (2017)
• USFS Climate Change Resource Center “Carbon and Land Management” - Introduction, Carbon Management Objectives and Considerations”
• USFS Climate Change Resource Center “Forest Management for Carbon Benefits”

Biocultural perspectives and resources

• Defining biocultural approaches to conservation
• A global assessment of Indigenous community engagement in climate research

Science organizations in this region

• Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center
• University of Hawaii Sea Level Center
• Pacific RISA
• Hawaii division of Forestry and Wildlife 
• Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance

 

Did we forget a resource? Please let us know! Contact Danielle.