Press Release

Statement of Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez on today’s release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report

WASHINGTON—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the newly released report from Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in Brussels.

“I am very proud of NOAA’s contribution to the IPCC’s Working Group II report and the work they are doing around the world to develop the knowledge, understanding and tools that will help communities adapt to and mitigate the effects of our changing planet. The administration has committed over $29 billion in science and technology programs, and many of NOAA’s climate programs, such as the National Integrated Drought Information System, are targeted at helping mitigate potential effects of climate change.

“NOAA individuals and expertise contributed significantly to this report. Roger Pulwarty, a NOAA scientist, was a lead author of the chapter on adaptation. Additionally, many NOAA-funded activities contributed data and research to the growing body of literature on impacts and adaptation assessed by this report.

“The release of the IPCC’s Working Group II report highlights the significant return on the investment the U.S. has made in climate change science. U.S. investment in climate science over the last several years has contributed significantly to the world's scientific understanding of climate change.”