Regional Climate Models:
A Critical Adaptation Tool for Communities & Industry
September 18, 2009, 9:30 -11:00 AM
2103 Rayburn House Office Building
September 18, 2009, Noon -1:30 p.m.
253 Russell Senate Office Building
Summary
The impacts of climate change and climate variability have become increasingly problematic worldwide. These can vary widely with location and ecosystem, affecting both public and private sectors, often in unforeseen ways. As policymakers at national, regional, state and local levels grapple with how to mitigate and adapt to a changing and variable climate, industries must also prepare for and adapt to environmental and weather exigencies.
New techniques in climate modeling will enable stakeholders to better predict impacts and prepare for them in a cost-effective way. The purpose of this briefing was to explore the knowledge generated by advanced regional climate modeling, cutting-edge modeling techniques, and the implications for corporate decision makers and regional policymakers.
Contact Science & the Congress Briefing Series
Sponsors
ACS Science & the Congress Project and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
UCAR Briefings page
Featured Speakers
|
Michael Oppenheimer Albert G. Milbank Professor of Geosciences and International Affairs Woodrow Wilson School Princeton University. Bio │ Presentation Slides Email | Webpage |
|
|
Greg Holland senior scientist and acting director Earth and Sun Systems Laboratory National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Bio │ Presentation Slides Email | Webpage |
|
|
Cortis Cooper Chevron Fellow Chevron Corporation. Bio │ Presentation Slides Email |
|
|
Sarah Cottrell Energy & Environmental Policy Advisor New Mexico Governor’s Office. Bio │ Presentation Slides Email |
Related Content: Useful References About Global Climate Change
- Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009).
- Summarizes the science and the impacts of climate change in the U.S. now and in the future. Includes impacts on different regions, society and the economy. The report is based primarily on 21 reports from work by 13 federal agencies.
- Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007)
- Summarizes observed changes in climate and their effects, causes of observed changes, projections of future change and related impacts, adaptation and mitigation options and key remaining uncertainties. The report is based on the assessment of the three working groups of the IPCC.
- Designing Climate Mitigation Policy, Resources for the Future (2009)
- Summarizes key findings and controversies regarding mitigation costs, damage valuation, policy choices, and technological innovation. Estimates “emission pricing” and discusses scope of regulation, policy choices, complementary technology and international policy architectures.
- Uncertainty in Analyzing Climate Change: Policy Implications, Congressional Budget Office (2005)
- Summarizes sources of scientific and economic uncertainty that limit the understanding of climate change and complicate assessments of policies. Discusses implications of uncertainties for policy responses related to research and development, mitigation of emissions and adaptation to a warmer climate.
- Climate Models: An Assessment of Strengths and Limitations
US Climate Change Science Program (2008)