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Pages 1-18

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From page 1...
... The Panel on Informing Effective Decisions and Actions Related to Climate Change, a part of the congressionally requested study on America's Climate Choices (ACC) , was charged to describe and assess climate change-related activities, decisions, and actions at various levels and in different sectors and to examine the available decision 
From page 2...
... An effective national response to climate change will require informed decision making based on reliable, understandable, and timely climate-related information tailored to user needs. For example, state and local authorities need improved information and tools to plan to both reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, and a better understanding of how the public views climate change.
From page 3...
... COORDINATE A COMPREHENSIVE, NATIONWIDE RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE Today, decisions and actions related to climate change are being informed by a loose confederation of networks and other institutions created to help guide climate choices (Figure S.1)
From page 4...
... Land, Sea and Space Grant, Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments ( RISA) FIGURE S.1 Example networks supporting action on climate change.
From page 5...
... Enhance non-federal activities that have proven effective in reducing green house gas emissions and adapting to the projected impacts of climate change through incentives, policy frameworks, and information systems; and c) Ensure that proposed federal policies do not unnecessarily preempt effective measures that have already been taken by states, regions, and the private sector.
From page 6...
... . Examples of the effective use of iterative risk management for climate choices discussed in this report include the UK Climate Impacts Programme, the NYC and Chicago Adaptation Plans, Tulsa flood management, Swiss Re insurance, the National Ad 1.
From page 7...
... Recommendation 3: Decision makers in both public and private sectors should implement an iterative risk management strategy to manage climate decisions and to identify potential climate damages, co-benefits, considerations of equity, societal attitudes to climate risk, and the availability of potential response options. Decisions and policies should be revised in light of new information, experience, and stakeholder input, and use the best available information and assessment base to underpin the risk management framework.
From page 8...
... CREATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT LIMITING EMISSIONS, ADAPTATION, AND EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DECISIONS AND ACTIONS There is a growing demand for better information on climate change, including climate variability, observed climate changes, potential impacts, trends in greenhouse gas emissions, and options for limiting emissions or adaptation. Some of these demands are a result of new regulatory or reporting structures (e.g., state and regional GHG trading schemes, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
From page 9...
... Many of these already provide important models of how to interact with stakeholders and provide climate information relevant to local and larger-scale decisions; climate services should build on, enhance, and avoid unnecessary damage to these efforts. Key functions to meet national needs for state-of-the-art information on climate change, its impacts, and response options to reduce risk may be overlooked if the system is based only on existing federal capabilities (see Box S.1)
From page 10...
... The panel does not recommend a specific institutional home or structure for climate services, but it is our judgment that no single government agency or centralized unit can perform all the functions required. Coordination of agency roles and regional activities is a necessity for effective climate services, and efforts should be made to build upon existing relationships of trust between stakeholders and climate information providers (such as those developed at regional centers and regional agency offices)
From page 11...
... This could assist decision makers in the public and private sectors, with advice on policy, emissions reporting, and practical steps toward GHG emissions reductions. Recommendation 7: The nation should establish a federally supported system for greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, verification, and management that builds on existing expertise in the EPA and the DOE but could have some independence.
From page 12...
... Consumer Information Relating to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Consumers and firms can play an important role in the national response to climate change by choosing to reduce their energy use or purchase low-carbon products. A significant proportion of consumers may respond to smart billing and meters that provide feedback, information on energy efficiency (e.g., product ratings and appliance labels)
From page 13...
... Many federal agencies support the collection, analysis, and dissemination of international information and the United States needs to be a leader in establishing international consistency between systems, standards for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and other critical earth system variables, and supporting economic and social data that inform both domestic and international decision making about the impacts and responses to climate variability and change. Recommendation 9: The federal government should support the collection and analysis of international information, including (a)
From page 14...
... Our report finds that much more could be done to improve climate literacy, increase public understanding of climate science and choices, and inform decision makers about climate change, including an urgent need for research on effective methods of climate change education and communication. Table S.1 summarizes some simple guidelines for effective climate change communication.
From page 15...
... Address scientific and Specify what is known with high confidence and what is less certain. Set climate uncertainties climate choices in the context of other important decisions made despite uncertainty (e.g., financial, insurance, security, etc.)
From page 16...
... Recent efforts include a Climate Literacy Framework, but many federal activities are relatively small and new and the panel found little information on measurable outcomes for these programs or for climate education more broadly. A nationally coordinated climate change education network would help support, integrate, and synergize these diverse efforts by conducting research on effective methods, sharing best practices and educational resources; building collaborative partnerships; and leveraging existing education, communication, and training networks across the country.
From page 17...
... Recommendation 10: The federal government should establish a national task force that includes formal and informal educators, government agencies, policy makers, business leaders, and scientists, among others, to set national goals and objectives and to develop a coordinated strategy to improve climate change education and communication. The informational needs of American society to respond to climate change range from basic awareness and understanding of the problem itself to highly technical information used only by specialists in specific fields.


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