New York State’s Land and People

New York State is home to a variety of geographic regions, including large urban areas; rural towns; agricultural lands; and wide-ranging natural areas, including forests, rivers and lakes, mountains, wetlands, and coasts. One of the country’s most populous and demographically diverse states, New York is rich in culture and in economic opportunity. At the same time, resources are not distributed equally across the state, and some geographic locations and groups of people are more at risk from climate change impacts. More detailed information on these topics can be found in the Assessment Introduction.

Click on a section below to learn more about:

• New York State’s geography, economy, government structure, and demographics. 
• Historical context about and considerations for vulnerable populations and climate equity and justice in New York State.
• Climate change impacts on Indigenous Peoples, synthesized from assessment results.
• Climate change impacts on vulnerable populations and factors contributing to increased climate risks, synthesized from assessment results.