The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP)

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) integrates federal research on climate and global change, is sponsored by 13 Federal agencies, and is overseen by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, the National Economic Council and the Office of Management and Budget. Over the past 13 years, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), has made the world's largest scientific investment in the areas of climate change and global change research -- a total investment of almost $20 billion.[1] The following reports have recently been released by the CCSP, specific to climate change reports[2]:

• Climate Literacy: "The Essential Principles of Climate Sciences" presents information that is deemed important for individuals and communities to know and understand about Earth climate, impacts of climate change, and approaches to adaptation or mitigation. See also the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Education website (posted 13 March 2009)
• Final Report of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.1 (Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-Level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic Region) is posted online. See also press release from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and EPA web-page. (posted 16 Jan 2009)
• Final Report of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.2 (Thresholds of Climate Change in Ecosystems) is posted. See also press release from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). (posted 16 Jan 2009)
• Final Report of Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.3 (Aerosol properties and their impacts on climate) is posted online. See also press release from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (posted 16 Jan 2009)
• Final Report of Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.2 (Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes) is posted. See also press release and podcast from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). (posted 16 Jan 2009)
• U.S. Climate Change Technology Program (CCTP) Strategic Plan (September 2006)

http://www.climatetechnology.gov/stratplan/final/CCTP-StratPlan-Sep-2006.pdf

The technology strategy detailed in the U.S Climate Technology Program Strategic Plan is an essential element of a comprehensive climate change strategy that includes undertaking short-term actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity, advancing climate science, and promoting international cooperation. The Plan provides the underpinnings for a robust RDD&D effort that can make advanced technologies available sooner and at a lower cost, and takes a century-long look at the nature of the climate change challenge and the potential for technological solutions across a range of uncertainties.

The technologies outlined in the Plan hydrogen, biorefining, clean coal, carbon sequestration, nuclear fission and fusion, advanced concepts in buildings, industry, transportation and electric energy storage and distribution, and others—have the potential to transform the economy in fundamental ways that can address not just climate change, but energy security, air quality, and other pressing needs. Additionally, the Plan articulates a vision of the role for advanced technologies, defines a supporting mission for the CCTP, establishes guiding principles for Federal R&D agencies to use in formulating R&D portfolios, outlines approaches to attain CCTP’s strategic goals, and identifies a series of next steps toward implementation.[3]

This 245 page document provides information on reducing emissions from energy end-users, including transportation, buildings, industry, electric grid and infrastructure, as well as from energy supplies, including fossil based fuels, hydrogen, nuclear fission, fusion energy, renewable energy and more. Other key areas of interests discussed in the document include reducing emissions of non-CO2 gasses, capturing and sequestering greenhouse gases, enhancing capabilities to measure and monitor greenhouse gases, and bolstering basic science contributions to technology development.

Research by Theresa Pipher