Final answer:
Environmental forecasting is a method used to develop plausible projections about the direction, scope, and speed of environmental change, focusing on factors like climate change effects, and aiming for long-term environmental sustainability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Environmental forecasting involves the development of plausible projections about the direction, scope, and speed of environmental change. These projections are important as they help in anticipating and preparing for future conditions influenced by a range of factors including climate change, variations in precipitation, storm patterns, and ecosystem shifts.
Environmental forecasting employs current knowledge and scenario planning to evaluate the likely consequences of ongoing landscape changes, predicting how such changes will impact aspects such as our food supply, water resources, infrastructure, and health. These projections consider the long-term shifts in temperature and climate due to human activity, acknowledging the complexity of environmental systems and the urgent need for long-term environmental sustainability.