Union of Concerned Scientists

Introduction
The Gulf Coast region of Texas encompasses a number of diverse ecosystems; barrier islands along the coast, salt grass marshes surrounding bays and estuaries, cypress swamps, tallgrass prairies, and tall woodlands of oak and pine. Many of these habitats are home to threatened or endangered species, including the whooping cranes of Aransas, the sea turtles of Laguna Madre, and some of the species in the richly diverse Big Thicket.

The natural areas of the Texas Gulf Coast region play an important role in the state's economy. The unique ecosystems and natural beauty of the area attract business in ecotourism and outdoor recreation. Shortleaf and loblolly pine forests in this region contribute significantly to the state's economy. The state's significant production of rice is centered in this coastal area and is tied closely to the natural processes of surrounding ecosystems.

The impacts of a changing climate could have significant effects on Texas's natural systems and the goods and services they provide. Click on the links to find out about future climate projections for Texas and how these changes may impact Texas's freshwater resources, human health, coastal development and infrastructure, fisheries, agriculture and forestry, and tourism and recreation.

After you've learned about the threats a changing climate poses to Texas, why don't you take a couple of minutes to tell policymakers to get busy tackling the problem? It's easy to do on our action pages.