Informing Decisions In A Changing Climate

Author : National Research Council,Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education,Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change,Panel on Strategies and Methods for Climate-Related Decision Support
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 200 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2009-07-04
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780309137379

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Informing Decisions in a Changing Climate by National Research Council,Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education,Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change,Panel on Strategies and Methods for Climate-Related Decision Support Pdf

Everyone-government agencies, private organizations, and individuals-is facing a changing climate: an environment in which it is no longer prudent to follow routines based on past climatic averages. State and local agencies in particular, as well as the federal government, need to consider what they will have to do differently if the 100-year flood arrives every decade or so, if the protected areas for threatened species are no longer habitable, or if a region can expect more frequent and more severe wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, water shortages, or other extreme environmental events. Both conceptually and practically, people and organizations will have to adjust what may be life-long assumptions to meet the potential consequences of climate change. How and where should bridges be built? What zoning rules may need to be changed? How can targets for reduced carbon emissions be met? These and myriad other questions will need to be answered in the coming years and decades. Informing Decisions in a Changing Climate examines the growing need for climate-related decision support-that is, organized efforts to produce, disseminate, and facilitate the use of data and information in order to improve the quality and efficacy of climate-related decisions. Drawing on evidence from past efforts to organize science for improved decision making, it develops guidance for government agencies and other institutions that will provide or use information for coping with climate change. This volume provides critical analysis of interest to agencies at every level, as well as private organizations that will have to cope with the world's changing climate.

Author : National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,America's Climate Choices: Panel on Informing Effective Decisions and Actions Related to Climate Change
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 346 pages
File Size : 50,9 Mb
Release : 2011-01-07
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780309145947

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Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change by National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,America's Climate Choices: Panel on Informing Effective Decisions and Actions Related to Climate Change Pdf

Global climate change is one of America's most significant long-term policy challenges. Human activity-especially the use of fossil fuels, industrial processes, livestock production, waste disposal, and land use change-is affecting global average temperatures, snow and ice cover, sea-level, ocean acidity, growing seasons and precipitation patterns, ecosystems, and human health. Climate-related decisions are being carried out by almost every agency of the federal government, as well as many state and local government leaders and agencies, businesses and individual citizens. Decision makers must contend with the availability and quality of information, the efficacy of proposed solutions, the unanticipated consequences resulting from decisions, the challenge of implementing chosen actions, and must consider how to sustain the action over time and respond to new information. Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change, a volume in the America's Climate Choices series, describes and assesses different activities, products, strategies, and tools for informing decision makers about climate change and helping them plan and execute effective, integrated responses. It discusses who is making decisions (on the local, state, and national levels), who should be providing information to make decisions, and how that information should be provided. It covers all levels of decision making, including international, state, and individual decision making. While most existing research has focused on the physical aspect of climate change, Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change employs theory and case study to describe the efforts undertaken so far, and to guide the development of future decision-making resources. Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change offers much-needed guidance to those creating public policy and assists in implementing that policy. The information presented in this book will be invaluable to the research community, especially social scientists studying climate change; practitioners of decision-making assistance, including advocacy organizations, non-profits, and government agencies; and college-level teachers and students.

Author : Zena Grecni,Leah Shore,Benét Duncan
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 34 pages
File Size : 40,5 Mb
Release : 2019-09-16
Category : United States
ISBN : 0866382909

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Learning from Success in Climate-Informed Decision-Making by Zena Grecni,Leah Shore,Benét Duncan Pdf

A network of sustained assessment specialists created within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (NOAA RISA) program present five case studies of successful local responses to climate change that are supported by scientific information. Based in three regions--the U.S. Pacific Islands, the South Central United States, and the Rocky Mountain West--the case studies in this report feature local managers who are providing and applying climate information, with valuable outcomes, across a range of geographic scales and sectors. They include improving local climate-adaptation efforts in San Angelo, Texas, enhancing the resilience of iconic coastal ecosystems on Hawaiʻi Island, managing water in the Colorado River Conservation District, increasing conservation resilience in the southern Great Plains, and using El Niño forecasts to plan for drought in the Pacific Islands. The case studies provide new insights, which are summarized as five practical lessons for anyone seeking to better integrate climate considerations into decision-making.

Author : Katherine Richardson,Will Steffen,Diana Liverman
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 541 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2011-03-03
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781139496209

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Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions by Katherine Richardson,Will Steffen,Diana Liverman Pdf

Providing an up-to-date synthesis of all knowledge relevant to the climate change issue, this book ranges from the basic science documenting the need for policy action to the technologies, economic instruments and political strategies that can be employed in response to climate change. Ethical and cultural issues constraining the societal response to climate change are also discussed. This book provides a handbook for those who want to understand and contribute to meeting this challenge. It covers a very wide range of disciplines - core biophysical sciences involved with climate change (geosciences, atmospheric sciences, ocean sciences, ecology/biology) as well as economics, political science, health sciences, institutions and governance, sociology, ethics and philosophy, and engineering. As such it will be invaluable for a wide range of researchers and professionals wanting a cutting-edge synthesis of climate change issues, and for advanced student courses on climate change.

Author : National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on Analysis of Global Change Assessments
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 196 pages
File Size : 55,8 Mb
Release : 2007-10-07
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780309104852

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Analysis of Global Change Assessments by National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on Analysis of Global Change Assessments Pdf

Global change assessments inform decision makers about the scientific underpinnings of a range of environmental issues, such as climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and loss of biodiversity. Dozens of assessments have been conducted to date by various U.S. and international groups, many of them influencing public policies, technology development, and research directions. This report analyzes strengths and weaknesses of eight past assessments to inform future efforts. Common elements of effective assessments include strong leadership, extensive engagement with interested and affected parties, a transparent science-policy interface, and well defined communication strategies. The report identifies 11 essential elements of effective assessments and recommends that future assessments include decision support tools that make use of information at the regional and local level where decisions are made.

Author : Mendoza, Guillermo,Jeuken, Ad,Matthews, John H.,Stakhiv, Eugene,Kucharski, John,Gilroy, Kristin
Publisher : UNESCO Publishing
Page : 157 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2018-12-31
Category : Climatic changes
ISBN : 9789231002878

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Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) by Mendoza, Guillermo,Jeuken, Ad,Matthews, John H.,Stakhiv, Eugene,Kucharski, John,Gilroy, Kristin Pdf

Author : John B. Stephenson
Publisher : DIANE Publishing
Page : 86 pages
File Size : 54,7 Mb
Release : 2010-03
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781437924640

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Climate Change Adaptation by John B. Stephenson Pdf

Changes in the climate attributable to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases may have significant impacts in the U.S. and the world. Greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere will continue altering the climate system into the future, regardless of emissions control efforts. Therefore, adaptation -- defined as adjustments to natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate change -- is an important part of the response to climate change. This report examined: what actions federal, state, local, and international authorities are taking to adapt to a changing climate, and the challenges they face in their efforts to adapt; and actions that Congress and fed. agencies could take to help address these challenges. Charts and tables.

Author : Tiago Capela Lourenço,Ana Rovisco,Annemarie Groot,Carin Nilsson,Hans-Martin Füssel,Leendert Van Bree,Roger B. Street
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 182 pages
File Size : 41,5 Mb
Release : 2014-04-14
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783319048765

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Adapting to an Uncertain Climate by Tiago Capela Lourenço,Ana Rovisco,Annemarie Groot,Carin Nilsson,Hans-Martin Füssel,Leendert Van Bree,Roger B. Street Pdf

Climate change highlights the challenges for long-term policy making in the face of persistent and irreducible levels of uncertainties. It calls for the development of flexible approaches, innovative governance and other elements that contribute to effective and adaptive decision-making. Exploring these new approaches is also a challenge for those involved in climate research and development of adaptation policy. The book provides a dozen real-life examples of adaptation decision making in the form of case studies: · Water supply management in Portugal, England and Wales and Hungary · Flooding, including flood risk in Ireland, coastal flooding and erosion in Southwest France, and flood management in Australia’s Hutt River region · Transport and utilities, including the Austrian Federal railway system, public transit in Dresden, and Québec hydro-electric power · Report examining communication of large numbers of climate scenarios in Dutch climate adaptation workshops.

Author : Katherine Richardson,Will Steffen,Diana Liverman
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 542 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2011-03-03
Category : Science
ISBN : 0521198364

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Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions by Katherine Richardson,Will Steffen,Diana Liverman Pdf

Providing an up-to-date synthesis of all knowledge relevant to the climate change issue, this book ranges from the basic science documenting the need for policy action to the technologies, economic instruments and political strategies that can be employed in response to climate change. Ethical and cultural issues constraining the societal response to climate change are also discussed. This book provides a handbook for those who want to understand and contribute to meeting this challenge. It covers a very wide range of disciplines - core biophysical sciences involved with climate change (geosciences, atmospheric sciences, ocean sciences, ecology/biology) as well as economics, political science, health sciences, institutions and governance, sociology, ethics and philosophy, and engineering. As such it will be invaluable for a wide range of researchers and professionals wanting a cutting-edge synthesis of climate change issues, and for advanced student courses on climate change.

Author : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education,Board on Environmental Change and Society,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee to Advise the U.S. Global Change Research Program
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 65 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2016-03-02
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780309380263

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Enhancing Participation in the U.S. Global Change Research Program by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education,Board on Environmental Change and Society,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee to Advise the U.S. Global Change Research Program Pdf

The US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is a collection of 13 Federal entities charged by law to assist the United States and the world to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global change. As the understanding of global change has evolved over the past decades and as demand for scientific information on global change has increased, the USGCRP has increasingly focused on research that can inform decisions to cope with current climate variability and change, to reduce the magnitude of future changes, and to prepare for changes projected over coming decades. Overall, the current breadth and depth of research in these agencies is insufficient to meet the country's needs, particularly to support decision makers. This report provides a rationale for evaluating current program membership and capabilities and identifying potential new agencies and departments in the hopes that these changes will enable the program to more effectively inform the public and prepare for the future. It also offers actionable recommendations for adjustments to the methods and procedures that will allow the program to better meet its stated goals.

Author : National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on America's Climate Choices
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 134 pages
File Size : 51,7 Mb
Release : 2011-06-11
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780309145855

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America's Climate Choices by National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on America's Climate Choices Pdf

Climate change is occurring. It is very likely caused by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems. And these emissions continue to increase, which will result in further change and greater risks. America's Climate Choices makes the case that the environmental, economic, and humanitarian risks posed by climate change indicate a pressing need for substantial action now to limit the magnitude of climate change and to prepare for adapting to its impacts. Although there is some uncertainty about future risk, acting now will reduce the risks posed by climate change and the pressure to make larger, more rapid, and potentially more expensive reductions later. Most actions taken to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts are common sense investments that will offer protection against natural climate variations and extreme events. In addition, crucial investment decisions made now about equipment and infrastructure can "lock in" commitments to greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come. Finally, while it may be possible to scale back or reverse many responses to climate change, it is difficult or impossible to "undo" climate change, once manifested. Current efforts of local, state, and private-sector actors are important, but not likely to yield progress comparable to what could be achieved with the addition of strong federal policies that establish coherent national goals and incentives, and that promote strong U.S. engagement in international-level response efforts. The inherent complexities and uncertainties of climate change are best met by applying an iterative risk management framework and making efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions; prepare for adapting to impacts; invest in scientific research, technology development, and information systems; and facilitate engagement between scientific and technical experts and the many types of stakeholders making America's climate choices.

Author : Climate Change Science Program
Publisher : CreateSpace
Page : 114 pages
File Size : 50,6 Mb
Release : 2014-07-02
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 1500396087

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Global-Change Scenarios by Climate Change Science Program Pdf

A scenario is a description of potential future conditions produced to inform decision-making under uncertainty. Scenarios can help inform decisions that involve high stakes and poorly characterized uncertainty, which may thwart other, conventional forms of analysis or decision support. Originally developed to study military and security problems, scenarios are now widely used for strategic planning and assessment in businesses and other organizations, and increasingly to inform planning, analysis, and decision-making for environmental issues, including climate change. Scenarios can serve many purposes. They can help inform specific decisions, or can provide inputs to assessments, models, or other decision-support activities when these activities need specification of potential future conditions. They can also provide various forms of indirect decision support, such as clarifying an issue's importance, framing a decision agenda, shaking up habitual thinking, stimulating creativity, clarifying points of agreement and disagreement, identifying and engaging needed participants, or providing a structure for analysis of potential future decisions.

Author : National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on Understanding and Monitoring Abrupt Climate Change and Its Impacts
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 222 pages
File Size : 47,8 Mb
Release : 2013-12-31
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780309287760

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Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change by National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on Understanding and Monitoring Abrupt Climate Change and Its Impacts Pdf

Climate is changing, forced out of the range of the past million years by levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases not seen in the Earth's atmosphere for a very, very long time. Lacking action by the world's nations, it is clear that the planet will be warmer, sea level will rise, and patterns of rainfall will change. But the future is also partly uncertain -- there is considerable uncertainty about how we will arrive at that different climate. Will the changes be gradual, allowing natural systems and societal infrastructure to adjust in a timely fashion? Or will some of the changes be more abrupt, crossing some threshold or "tipping point" to change so fast that the time between when a problem is recognized and when action is required shrinks to the point where orderly adaptation is not possible? Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change is an updated look at the issue of abrupt climate change and its potential impacts. This study differs from previous treatments of abrupt changes by focusing on abrupt climate changes and also abrupt climate impacts that have the potential to severely affect the physical climate system, natural systems, or human systems, often affecting multiple interconnected areas of concern. The primary timescale of concern is years to decades. A key characteristic of these changes is that they can come faster than expected, planned, or budgeted for, forcing more reactive, rather than proactive, modes of behavior. Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change summarizes the state of our knowledge about potential abrupt changes and abrupt climate impacts and categorizes changes that are already occurring, have a high probability of occurrence, or are unlikely to occur. Because of the substantial risks to society and nature posed by abrupt changes, this report recommends the development of an Abrupt Change Early Warning System that would allow for the prediction and possible mitigation of such changes before their societal impacts are severe. Identifying key vulnerabilities can help guide efforts to increase resiliency and avoid large damages from abrupt change in the climate system, or in abrupt impacts of gradual changes in the climate system, and facilitate more informed decisions on the proper balance between mitigation and adaptation. Although there is still much to learn about abrupt climate change and abrupt climate impacts, to willfully ignore the threat of abrupt change could lead to more costs, loss of life, suffering, and environmental degradation. Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change makes the case that the time is here to be serious about the threat of tipping points so as to better anticipate and prepare ourselves for the inevitable surprises.

Author : Task Force on a Canadian Information System for the Environment (Canada),David L. Johnston
Publisher : Hull, Quebec : The Task Force
Page : 32 pages
File Size : 44,6 Mb
Release : 2001
Category : Environmental indicators
ISBN : MSU:31293020953471

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Informing Environmental Decisions by Task Force on a Canadian Information System for the Environment (Canada),David L. Johnston Pdf

The proposed Canadian Information System for the Environment (CISE) aims to ensure easy & timely access by decision makers, citizens, communities, and the private sector to the reliable information they need to make informed decisions relating to the environment. The introduction to this interim report explains the need for the CISE, the problems it will address, and the resulting benefits to Canadians. Chapter 2 lays out the basic foundations to guide the design & implementation of the CISE, including its principles & scope. Chapter 3 addresses the data resource infrastructure of the CISE and chapter 4 focusses on cross-cutting requirements that support an integrated & strategic approach to environmental management or are common across policy sectors. Chapter 5 addresses how data & information can be made accessible to information users, and considers methods of raising citizen awareness & encouraging involvement in environmental issues. The final chapter outlines future steps & the forthcoming consultations on the CISE. Appendices include descriptions of conceptual frameworks for the CISE and a preliminary analysis of current gaps in environmental information.

Author : United States Government Accountability Office
Publisher : Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Page : 86 pages
File Size : 50,7 Mb
Release : 2018-01-24
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 198415849X

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Climate Change Adaptation by United States Government Accountability Office Pdf

Climate Change Adaptation: Strategic Federal Planning Could Help Government Officials Make More Informed Decisions