<i>The Journal of Wildlife Management</i> is confronting the influences of climate change on wildlife

Climate change, or more accurately, climate warming, refers to the rapid increase in mean global temperature that has resulted from rise anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases since Industrial Revolution (Intergovernmental Panel on Change [IPCC] 2021). warming caused significant, long-term changes weather patterns along with pervasive consequences all parts globe and earth systems. No continent, ocean, culture, community, individual will remain unaffected by temperature, precipitation, fire regime, agricultural productivity, disease, severe events. change also significant social environmental justice implications as influences burdens not be felt evenly across countries communities (Inkley et al. 2004, Crausbay 2022, IPCC Limaye 2022). For these reasons, is one most pressing issues our times. As wildlife biologists, we feel a responsibility share passion for conservation management ecosystems they are part depend on. We beginning understand breadth depth effects species study (Díaz 2019, Inkley Stein 2020, National Fish, Wildlife, Plants Adaptation Network Drought rapidly changing terrestrial habitats altering succession regimes. Changes phenology plant community structure nutritional resources available herbivores omnivores annually seasonally. Freshwater lakes streams home invertebrates, fish, aquatic vegetation rapidly, causing stress (National Altered precipitation leading reduced water levels can compound effects. Some rivers streams, especially those fed glacial melt waters, experiencing increased flow rates, sediment loads, temperature. Permafrost thawing feedback promote further groundwater surface regimes (IPCC Many ephemeral ponds may cease persist. In oceans, increasing temperatures acidification stressing food webs extend affect freshwater ecosystems. Loss ice at both poles contributing sea level resulting habitat loss ice-dependent species. amplifies because albedo While daunting, affected equally. benefitting locally local number expanding their range, while others losing via competition reduction resources. Similarly, some migratory see positive seasonal range but adverse other habitats. Individual influenced linkages between systems being altered. Such lead cascading unexpected indirect impacts (Farrer 2014, Breeggemann 2016). Further, difficult identify, quantify, predict, mitigate (Fontúrbel 2018, Rangwala have individually made choice dedicate careers science-informed animals support them. The very existence occupation reflects value society placed explicitly implicitly. much world, humans rely natural meet needs (Holechek Wildlife important components history, religion. many locations throughout provides recreational activities such hunting, viewing, photography. Wild creatures wild places provide sense place solace. economically valuable livelihood individuals work eco-tourism hunting industries. values mutually exclusive embrace reasons. Because connection profound challenges face expansive, profession struggling emotionally burden lies ahead general feeling helplessness (Cunsolo Ellis 2022), condition referred ecogrief ecotrauma. To deal effectively negative feelings challenge productively, find ways take action, influence world good where can, recognize power collective abilities, willpower, influence. fall 2021, response suggestions Society (TWS) membership, TWS President, Gordon Batcheller, established Sustainability Advisory Committee purpose “[p]rovide recommendations how amplify TWS's voice relative sustainability it relates resource management, science, policy internal broader front.” Under auspices this directive, an explicit action item “[d]iscuss Publications EICs [Editor-in-Chief] idea adding optional Implications section subsections journals.” Concurrently, Editor-in-Chief Journal Management (JWM), Committee, were charged finding expand reach impact JWM relation change. Over past few years, expanded discussion options authors Implications, include Research Conservation and, recently, Implications. areas desired expertise Associate Editors Finally, encouraging submission articles special dedicated sections focused climate-related topics. example, currently marine mammals development. inclusion emphasis logical central importance Including practical serve submissions readership science community. institutionalization underscores subject scientific inquiry assist adaptive environment. This often mischaracterized political issue product personal opinions. strive ultimate source science-based Both must actively involved meeting large ever-evolving, important, tangible, visible means professionals advance editorial was suggested A. C. S. Knipps. appreciate comments G. Kovach, E. H. Merrill earlier drafts editorial. thanks.