Archived Postings of the U.S.
Climate Change Science Program

2007

Summary of Revised Research Plan for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The CCSP in 2008 will supplement its 2003 Strategic Plan with a Revised Research Plan. This summary of the Revised Research Plan is open for public comment for 60 days (through 26 February 2008). Comments will be considered in developing the final Revised Research Plan as well as a Scientific Assessment, both due by June 2008. (posted 28 Dec 2007)

Product 4.3 (The effects of climate change on agriculture, land resources, water resources, and biodiversity): Federal Register notice (dtd 16 November 2007) announces that the Federal Advisory Committee for the Expert Review of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP) will hold a teleconference on Friday, December 7, 2007.

Summary for Policymakers of the Fourth Assessment Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [PDF]. Released 17 November 2007. See also: Press Briefing Via Conference Call by Senior Administration Officials on IPCC Report, transcript issued by the White House Office of the Press Secretary on 16 November 2007. (link posted 17 Nov 2007)

Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Climate Change Science Program for Fiscal Year 2008. A report by the Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research. A Supplement to the President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2008. (posted 16 November 2007).

The First State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR): The North American Carbon Budget and Implications for the Global Carbon Cycle. Final Synthesis and Assessment Report 2.2, issued by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research. See also Government Science Panel Publishes Report on North America’s Carbon Budget, press release (dtd 13 November 2007) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (links posted 13 November 2007)

Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure -- Gulf Coast Study. Public review draft of Synthesis and Asessment Report 4.7 is posted. Comments will be accepted from 25 October 2007 through 10 December 2007. See also invitation to comment and Federal Register notice (both dated 25 Oct 2007).  (link posted 25 October 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.5 (Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United States).  Final Report (dtd October 2007) is posted. See also Third U.S. Climate Change Science Program Report Issued, press release (dtd 18 Oct 2007) from the Department of Energy. (links posted 18 October 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 (Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate):  Federal Register notice (dtd 9 October 2007) announcing open meeting of the Product Development Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 (CPDC-S&A 3.3). The meeting will be held 22 - 24 October 2007 in Asheville, North Carolina. Meeting information will be available online on the CPDC-S&A 3.3 Web site.  (links posted 10 October 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.2 (Climate Projections Based on Emissions Scenarios for long-lived radiatively active trace gases and future climate impacts of short-lived radiatively active gases and aerosols): Review by the National Research Council (published October 2007).  (link posted 2 Oct 2007

Synthesis and Assessment Product 5.1 (Uses and limitations of observations, data, forecasts, and other projections in decision support for selected sectors and regions).  Postings on 24 September 2007:

• Public review draft of report.  Comments will be accepted from 24 September 2007 through 8 November.  See also invitation to comment and Federal Register notice (both dated 24 Sep 2007). 
• Draft online catalog of decision-support demonstration projects (as called for in the prospectus).  The catalog will be updated as additional experiments are conducted and new approaches to incorporating and benchmarking application of observations and other global change research products evolve.

Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.3 (Aerosol properties and their impacts on climate).  Postings on 24 September 2007:

• Draft prospectus is posted along with invitation to comment. Public review comments will be accepted through 24 October 2007.  See also the Federal Register notice.
• Peer review plan is posted.

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4 (Preliminary review of adaptation options for climate-sensitive ecosystems and resources): Federal Register notice (17 September 2007) announces Meeting of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Adaptation for Climate-Sensitive Resources Advisory Committee on October 22 and 23, 2007, in Bethesda, Maryland.  

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 (Analyses of the effects of global change on human health and welfare and human systems): Federal Register notice (17 September 2007) announces  meeting of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Human Impacts of Climate Change Advisory Committee (HICCAC) on October 15 and 16, 2007, in Alexandria, Virginia.  

Evaluating Progress of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program: Methods and Preliminary Results.  Report (released 13 Sep 2007) from the National Research Council's Committee on Strategic Advice on the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.  See also U.S. Climate Change Science Program Making Good Progress In Documenting And Understanding Changes, But Study Of Impacts On Humans And Communication With Decision Makers Lag. press release (dtd 13 Sep 2007) from the National Academies. (links posted 13 Sep 2007).

Ozone Day, 2007: 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. Twenty years ago, on 16 September 1987, a group of countries signed the Montreal Protocol in a pivotal step towards protecting stratospheric ozone. To commemorate the day -- now known internationally as "Ozone Day" -- we provide links to a selection of online material related to ozone depletion and the Montreal Protocol. (link posted 12 Sep 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (The effects of climate change on agriculture, land resources, water resources, and biodiversity): Public review draft is posted. The draft is open for public comment from 11 September through 26 October 2007. See invitation to comment, the Federal Register notice, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture press release. (links posted 11 Sep 2007)

Frequently Asked Questions from the IPCC's "Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis." Nineteen FAQs (each as a separate PDF file) from the Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, first published in 2007 (link posted 29 Aug 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 (Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate): Public review draft posted. The draft is open for public comment from 21 August 2007 through 5 October 2007. See invitation to comment and Federal Register notice (published 21 Aug 2007). (links posted 21 Aug 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4 (Preliminary review of adaptation options for climate-sensitive ecosystems and resources): Public review draft posted. The draft is open for public comment from 21 August 2007 through 5 October 2007. See invitation to comment and Federal Register notice (published 21 Aug 2007). (links posted 21 Aug 2007)

Clarification of review and clearance process for CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Products. Memorandum (dated 3 August 2007) to Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (of the National Science and Technology Council) and the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Principals from William Brennan, Acting Director, CCSP. The memorandum also is available as PDF file.  

Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. The Working Group II contribution to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report includes Chapter 14 on North America. (link posted 6 August 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.2 (Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes):  Final prospectus (dtd 18 July 2007) published along with public review comments on the draft prospectus.  (links posted 31 July 2007)

Available upon request: U.S. Government comments on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Synthesis Report.  To obtain a copy, please submit a request to .  (this notice was posted 24 July 2007).  The comments are derived from an expert review process announced in a Federal Register notice published on 21 May 2007.

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 (Analyses of the effects of global change on human health and welfare and human systems): Public review draft released.  The 45-day public review period extends from 20 July 2007 through 4 September 2007.  See the invitation letter from CCSP Acting Director, Bill Brennan. (links posted 20 July 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.1 (Climate Models: An Assessment of Strengths and Limitations for User Applications): Notice of public meeting published in the Federal Register (18 July 2007). Notice announces meeting of the Climate Change Science Program Product Development Advisory Committee for Product 3.1 on 8 August 2007. (link posted 19 July 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (The effects of climate change on agriculture, land resources, water resources, and biodiversity): Summary of 19-20 June 2007 meeting of the Committee for the Expert Peer Review of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP). (link posted 19 July 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.1 (Scenarios of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Atmospheric Concentrations; and Review of Integrated Scenario Development and Application). Final report posted (10 July 2007).  See also Second Major U.S. Climate Change Science Program Report Issued, press release (dtd 10 July 2007) from the Department of Energy.

Now available from Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (links posted 5 July 2007):

• Powerpoint files containing the figures from the Summary for Policymakers (SPM), Technical Summary (TS), and individual chapters of Working Group I's contribution to the Fourth Assessment Report (Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis)
• Files containing reviewers' comments and the authors' responses to those comments.

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.2 (Thresholds of Change in Ecosystems):   Final Prospectus (30 June 2007). 

Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.2 (Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes):  Federal Register notice (dtd 28 June 2007) announces 12-13 July 2007 meeting of the USGS-CCSP Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.2. See the agenda [PDF]. (posted 28 June 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 (Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate): Review (document dated 18 June 2007) by the National Research Council. (link posted 26 June 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7 (Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure -- Gulf Coast Study). Peer Review Plan posted. Also available as PDF file (documents posted on 21 June 2007).

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.5 (Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United States).  The following items have been posted (links added 7 June 2007):

• Final (third) review draft [PDF] (dtd 28 March 2007)
• Public review comments on second review draft.
• Peer review comments on first review draft.

Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.3 (Re-analyses of historical climate data for key atmospheric features. Implications for attribution of causes of observed change): Notice of open meeting of the Product Development Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.3. Notice (dtd 4 June 2007) published in the Federal Register announcing meeting to be held 25-27 June 2007. See draft agenda (also available as PDF file)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 (Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate). Notice of open meeting of the Product Development Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3.  Notice (dtd 6 June 2007) posted in the Federal Register announcing meeting to be held 25-28 June 2007.

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (The effects of climate change on agriculture, land resources, water resources, and biodiversity). (links posted 6 June 2007)

• 19-20 June 2007: Committee for the Expert Peer Review of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP) will meet in Washington, DC.  A copy of the Technical Peer Review Draft is available upon request for those wishing to provide input to the CERSAP. Contact Dr. Margaret Walsh, 202-720-9978, mwalsh@oce.usda.gov for more information.  See also Notice of Advisory Committee Meeting to be held on 19-20 June 2007 (Federal Register notice dated 6 June 2007)
• 6 June 2007.  Notice of Advisory Committee Membership  and Notice of Advisory Committee Meeting to be held on 19-20 June 2007 (Federal Register notices dated 6 June 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.2 (North American carbon budget and implications for the global carbon cycle):   Fourth draft [PDF] (dtd May 2007) posted (on 25 May 2007).  Executive summary [PDF] also is available as a separate file. (links posted 7 June 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.1 (Scenarios of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Atmospheric Concentrations and Review of Integrated Scenario Development and Application). Draft reports (both dated April 2007) posted (April 25, 2007) pending final CCSP approval:

• Product 2.1a  (Scenarios of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Atmospheric Concentrations)
• Product 2.1b (Global-Change Scenarios Their Development and Use)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.1 (Climate Models: An Assessment of Strengths and Limitations for User Applications).  Items posted on 22 May 2007:

• Public review draft  released along with invitation for public review and comment.  Comments on the report will be accepted through July 6 2007. See also the Federal Register notice published on 22 May 2007.
• Comments of peer reviewers on the first draft of Product 3.1

Request for expert review of Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report.  The U.S. Climate Change Science Program requests expert review of this fourth and final volume of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report.  Comments must be submitted by 27 June 2007 [Review period expired].  See also the Federal Register notice (dtd 21 May 2007)

U.S. Climate Action Report -- 2006.  Fourth National Communication of the U.S. under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Public Review Draft (posted 4 May 2007).  See also Federal Register notice of 4 May 2007.  The review draft is open for public comment until noon, 1 June 2007 (extended from the original deadline of 18 May 2007). (link posted 18 May 2007)

Report to Congress: FY 2008 Federal Climate Change Expenditures Report to Congress. [PDF] Report (submitted 3 May 2007) from the Office of Management and Budget. (link posted 18 May 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.2 (Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes): Committee Establishment: United States Geological Survey--Climate Change Science Program Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.2. Notice published (11 May 2007) in the Federal Register. (link posted 15 May 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.2 (Thresholds of Change in Ecosystems): Committee Establishment: Climate Change Science Program Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.2.  Notice published (11 May 2007) in the Federal Register.(link posted 15 May 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 (Analyses of the effects of global change on human health and welfare and human systems): Establishment of the Human Impacts of Climate Change Advisory Committee (HICCAC).  Notice posted (10 May 2007) in the Federal Register.  (link posted 15 May 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.1 (Coastal elevation and sensitivity to sea level rise): Coastal Elevations and Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee Meeting. Notice published (10 May 2007) in the Federal Register announcing 8 June meeting. (link posted 15 May 2007)

United States Joins In Approving Summary Report on Climate Change Mitigation.  Media note (4 May 2007) from the U.S. Department of State.See also:  Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change,  links to information related to the Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (posted 9 May 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.2 (Thresholds of Change in Ecosystems): Draft prospectus released along with invitation for public review and comment.  See also Federal Register notice (dated 7 May 2007).  (links posted 7 May 2007)

Reorienting the U.S. Global Change Research Program Toward a User-Driven Research Endeavor.  Hearing (3 May 2007) before House of Representatives, Committee on Science and Technology.

Preview of Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Climate Change Science Program for Fiscal Year 2008. 
(posted 27 April 2007).

International Scientific Panel Approves Report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.  Panel indicates high confidence that “anthropogenic warming over the last three decades has had a discernible influence on many physical and biological systems” Press release (dated 6 April 2007) from the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.  See also Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.  Summary for Policymakers, links to information related to the Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (posted 6 April 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.4 (Abrupt Climate Change):

• Federal Register notice (26 Feb 2007) announces 26-28 March meeting of the USGS-CCSP Committee for S&A Product 3.4. 
• Public review comments on draft prospectus (and authors' responses) are posted (25 Feb 2007).
• Final prospectus is posted.  Also available as PDF file (dated 19 January 2007).

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.2 (Climate Projections Based on Emissions Scenarios for long-lived radiatively active trace gases and future climate impacts of short-lived radiatively active gases and aerosols):  The National Academies Board on Atmospheric Sciences (BASC) and Climate announces formation of a committee to provide a peer review of the draft S&A Product 3.2; and solicits nominations for committee membership. (link posted 26 Feb 2007).

Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 (National Academies announce provisional appointments to committee to review the US CCSP draft Synthesis and Assessment Product (SAP) 3.3.  Comments on the provisional appointments to a committee of the National Academies are being accepted until early March 2007.  (posted 26 Feb 2007).

Analysis of Global Change Assessments: Lessons Learned. Report (issued 23 Feb 2007) from the National Research Council identifying "the essential elements of effective global change assessments, including strategic framing, engagement of stakeholders, credible treatment of uncertainties, and a transparent interface between policymakers and scientists." The report also reviews lessons learned from past assessments. (link posted 23 Feb 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.2 (North American carbon budget and implications for the global carbon cycle): Comments on the Public Review Draft, along with the authors' responses (posted 23 February 2007).

Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.4 (Trends in emissions of ozone-depleting substances, ozone layer recovery, and implications for ultraviolet radiation exposure): Final prospectus posted (also available as PDF file) (posted 9 February 2007).  Also available: Comments on draft prospectus -- and authors' responses (posted 23 February 2007)

U.S. Climate Change Science Program Provides Key Contributions to IPCC Fourth Assessment, press release (dtd 16 February 2007) from the U.S. CCSP.(posted 16 February 2007)

Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis.  Links to information related to the Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  (link added 2 Feb 2007)

Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.1 (Coastal elevation and sensitivity to sea level rise).  Federal Register Notice (dtd 9 January 2006) announcing 29 January 2007 meeting of the Coastal Elevations and Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee (CESLAC). See also Members of the Coastal Elevations and Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee (CESLAC). (links posted 24 January 2007).