We're inundated with predictions of ecosystem collapse, biodiversity loss, extreme weather, and societal upheavals due to climate change. The behavior of policymakers and common sense suggests ecological and societal adaptations will occur slowly (or not at all) in the face of slow climate changes. How can we be most effective at making a difference and adapting to the new normal? Where should we focus our efforts on protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems? This course tackles tough realities that human-dominated ecosystems are subjected to a plethora of physical, chemical, and biological stressors - which in part are related to 1) land uses, 2) societal and political norms, 3) economic constraints, and 4) the sensitivity and resilience of the regional ecosystems. These components vary across geographies and vary as system drivers. It is important to understand the contribution of each of the 4 drivers and how they are intertwined in the face of climate change. Without such an understanding, management efforts to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems likely will fail.