A Cornell University professor authored one of the chapters in the new National Climate Assessment, which links global warming to increasingly disruptive weather conditions and threats to human health.
David Wolfe wrote the "Northeast" chapter for the report.
He says a lot has changed since the government issued its 2008 report, and fisheries, ecosystems and agriculture will be increasingly compromised by climate change.
He says issues thought to be a problem for the distant future, like increased flooding from heavy rain, coastal damage from sea level rise, and summer heat stress, are happening now.
Wolfe sees the report as a living document that will be constantly updated for communities, businesses, individuals and government agencies that are beginning to feel the impacts of climate change, and it's time to make some decisions.
He argues the debate has now gone well beyond whether climate change exists, to investing in ways to adapt to it.