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About the Study
In response to a request from Congress, the National Academies are launching America's Climate Choices, a suite of coordinated activities that will examine the serious and sweeping issues associated with global climate change, including the science and technology challenges involved, and provide advice on actions and strategies the nation can take to respond. These activities include:
A Summit will be held March 30-31, 2009 to help define the parameters of the study, provide an opportunity for high-level participation and input on key issues, and hear about relevant work carried out by other domestic and international groups.
Four focused panels will write in-depth reports on the following four questions:
1. What can be done to limit the magnitude of future climate change?
2. What can be done to adapt to the impacts of climate change?
3. What can be done to better understand climate change and its interactions with human and ecological systems?
4. What can be done to inform effective decisions and actions related to climate change?
The Committee on America's Climate Choices will be responsible for convening the Summit, coordinating the work of the four study panels, and writing a final report that synthesizes the conclusions of the panel reports and answers the following four integrating questions:
5. What short-term actions can be taken to respond effectively to climate change?
6. What promising long-term strategies, investments, and opportunities could be pursued to respond to climate change?
7. What are the major scientific and technological advances needed to better understand and respond effectively to climate change?
8. What are the major impediments to responding effectively to climate change, and what can be done to overcome these impediments?
Finally, there will be a suite of communication and dissemination activities, including a major Symposium to present the findings of the five study reports and a series of derivative products and outreach activities targeted at communicating the results of the study to specific audiences.
Collectively, the activities will produce a broad, action-oriented, and authoritative set of analyses to inform and guide responses to climate change across the nation. Funding for these activities will be provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Staffing for the activity will come from across the National Academies, with the Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate serving as the lead unit.
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