Such weather oscillations are expected to generate an increase in fire and drought frequency and a greater occurrence of such natural disasters as floods, hurricanes and typhoons. Furthermore, the sea level is predicted to rise a minimum of three feet.

The scientific consensus is that global warming is largely the result of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human activities. The bottom line: Two-thirds of all greenhouse gas emissions come from two activities: generating electricity and burning fuels for transportation vehicles.

Although the federal government has recently begun to show more interest and ultimately, national and global solutions will be necessary, leadership—and the associated opportunities that come with that leadership—remain primarily at the state level.

Two key determinants of how climate change will affect a state can be influenced by state policy and are important indicators of how seriously a state is responding to the environmental crisis.

1. Energy consumption. States use energy differently. Some states are energy intensive, while others are less so. Most forms of energy generation result in increased greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Transportation. About one-third of greenhouse gases are the result of emissions from vehicles burning fossil fuels. Reducing vehicle miles travelled could help curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The third factor affecting how climate change will affect a state is the state’s physical geography. For example, rising sea levels will have different impacts on island states, coastal states, and land locked states. States will need to understand how their geographic status affects them and adjust their environmental policies accordingly.