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OOZ'Z45 , . PREFACE Global climate change is a change in the climate of the earth occurring either naturally or as a result of human influence. Of particular concern is "anthropogenic" global warming, which is a warming of the Earth's atmosphere caused by the influence of humans on the natural environment. Anthropogenic global warming is the result of an increase in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and other "greenhouse" gases, which trap additional heat in the atmosphere. The increase in greenhouse gases is caused by the consumption of fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, and natural gas), land use modification, and the release of agricultural and industrial gases into the atmosphere. Global climate change may threaten water-dependent ecosystems unless adequate preparations are taken. It has the potential to affect water demands, water supplies, and water management. It could affect the quantity of precipitation and runoff, the seasonal timing of precipitation and runoff, and the severity of storms, floods, and droughts. The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) supplies municipal water to 25 million people in the 17 Western States, provides irrigation water for 10 million acres of farmland, and operates 52 hydroelectric facilities which generate approximately 48 billion kilowallhours of electricity annually, making Reclamation the Nation's I I th largest electric utility. In addition, Reclamation facilities provide flood control. recreation, fish and wildlife enhancement, and environmental management. Because Reclamation has the responsibility to wisely manage water resources while ensuring that associated environmental assets are preserved, the impacts of global climate change on water resources and environmental assets need to be identified, and appropriate responses need to be studied. Of concern are the impacts on agriculture, municipal and industrial water supplies, hydroelectric power generation, water quality, fisheries. wetlands, riparian communities, and recreation. Also of concern are the impacts on reservoir operations, flood control, drought management, and distribution of water for beneficial uses. The Global Climate Change Response Program, a multiyear Reclamation research program, is designed to study the potential impacts of global climate change in the 17 Western States and to determine the impacts on water demands, water supplies, and water management. This program will endeavor to develop strategies and responses to deal with these impacts through a broad range of research activities, projects, and technical studies.