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Since 1970, the Northeast has seen an average temperature increase of 2°F, leading to longer growing seasons and reduced snowpack. Future high-emissions scenarios project further warming, significant reductions in winter snow seasons, and increased frequency of extreme heat and flooding. These changes threaten the dairy and fruit industries, particularly cranberries, and risk substantial damage to coastal infrastructure in cities like New York and Boston. Additionally, the region's $7.6 billion winter recreation industry and specific fisheries, such as cod and lobster, face disruption due to warming waters and reduced snow cover.

The Southwest is projected to warm by 4-6°F under lower-emissions and 7-10°F under higher-emissions scenarios by the end of the century. The region faces severe water scarcity, expanding deserts, and reduced runoff, particularly in the Colorado River system. Public health risks include increased heat-related deaths in Los Angeles and worsening air quality. Economic threats include reduced yields for California specialty crops, diminished ski resort profitability due to snowpack loss, and reduced aircraft freight capacity at high-altitude airports like Phoenix and Denver. Biodiversity is critically threatened, especially in the Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands, while mountain ecosystems face range reductions and reproductive failures in wildflowers due to earlier snowmelt and spring frosts.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis reveals that the majority of money spent on gasoline in the U.S. flows to oil companies rather than local communities. For a typical $50 fill-up, $33 goes toward crude oil, with $20 benefiting private and publicly traded companies and $13 benefiting government-run entities. The report argues that individual shareholders receive negligible returns from their own gasoline expenditures; for example, a person with $1 million in a balanced portfolio would earn less than a penny in stock returns from spending $1,700 annually on gas from ExxonMobil. Conversely, investing in fuel-efficient vehicles, such as a hybrid Ford Fusion, can result in lifetime savings of over $5,000. On a national scale, UCS estimates that federal fuel economy standards for 2017-2025 could provide consumers $50 billion in net savings by 2030 and create between 484,000 and 570,000 jobs. The document concludes that reducing oil use is essential to mitigate global warming, as transportation accounts for more than one-third of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.

The document outlines a 'funnel' process for wind resource assessment, moving from general wind maps to site-specific measurements. It emphasizes that wind energy production is approximately proportional to the square of wind speed, meaning small estimation errors can lead to significant financial losses. The guide details the use of wind power classes, the impact of wind shear on tower height selection, and the importance of analyzing year-to-year wind variability to satisfy lender requirements. It also provides specific siting advice regarding wind roses, turbine wake effects, and the use of set-backs or easements to protect wind access.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that increasing Wisconsin's renewable electricity standard to 25% by 2025 is achievable and affordable. Under the most likely 'No Hydro Imports' scenario, the state would see a $59 million reduction in electricity bills (when accounting for carbon savings), the creation of 2,650 new jobs, and a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 2.1 million cars from the road. The analysis highlights Wisconsin's significant technical potential in wind, solar, and biomass to meet these targets while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.