The climate change crisis: A call for action by Past Presidents of the American Fisheries Society

ABSTRACT We, AFS Past Presidents, assert human- caused climate change must be combatted now if we wish to conserve the world’s aquatic ecosystems and fisheries. Failing to respond to efforts restricting climate change research, scientific knowledge sharing, and management strategies to alleviate human- caused climate change will have dire consequences for human societies and our planet. Here we briefly review the history of human-caused climate change, its mechanisms, and how American Fisheries Society members have researched and documented its effects on aquatic ecosystems over the years. We call upon everyone interested in functioning aquatic ecosystems to convey and build upon the strength of evidence supporting the understanding of human-caused climate change – despite climate change denials arising in public policy. We especially encourage reaching the broader public on the climate issue via popular publications, social media, presentations to user groups, displays, and both direct contact and encouragement of family, friends and other organizations to contact elected officials about the climate issue. Our duty to future generations requires us to use all available tools to influence policy in ways that will avert global crises.