People also rely on the many benefits that nature and wildlife provide. These benefits are called ecosystem services, and include things such as providing clean air and water, stormwater abatement, carbon storage, along with cultural and aesthetic values. Additionally, scientists project increases in:

Heat–related diseases like heart attacks and asthma;
Flooding, affecting residences, public transportation and bridges;
Electricity shortages and changes in energy demands;
Municipal costs, such as landscaping, road maintenance, and emergency response.

By reducing your own carbon footprint, and by helping our communities, natural areas, and green spaces adapt to the changes that are already occurring—and will continue to occur—we can lessen the severity of these impacts and foster a closer connection between ourselves and the natural systems we are so intrinsically linked to.