Integrating federal research on climate and global change

This is an announcement of opportunity to nominate U.S. experts to serve as Authors and/or Review Editors of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report "Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation" 17 June 2009.

The report will require the contributions of experts who can integrate the findings of the climate change science; vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation to extreme events; and disaster risk management communities. Nominees should have extensive expertise pertinent to the subject matter covered, and will generally be recognized in their field of expertise. For each chapter in a report, IPCC procedures call for convening lead authors, who oversee the production of a chapter; lead authors, who are responsible for sections of a chapter, and contributing authors. IPCC procedures also call for lead reviewers, also generally are recognized in their field.

The chapters are as follows:

• Climate change: new dimensions in disaster risk, exposure, vulnerability, and resilience
• Determinants of risks: exposure and vulnerability
• Changes in climate extremes and their impacts on the natural physical environment
• Changes in impacts of climate extremes: human systems and ecosystems
• Managing the risks from climate extremes at the local level
• Managing the risks from climate extremes at the national level
• Managing the risks: international level and integration across scales
• Toward a sustainable and resilient future
• Case studies.

Further information on this request -- such as the IPCC request for nominations, the complete approved outline of the report, a provisional schedule for its production, a description of the roles and responsibilities associated with them, IPCC Working Group II Technical Support Unit web site. Additional information about the IPCC may be found on the IPCC's web site. A nomination form and other required materials that must be completed for each nominee -- may be found below on this page. You may also visit the Federal Register to view the original notice [Federal Register: June 17, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 115)] [Page 28753-28754] [Public Notice 6672].

As explained in greater detail below, your recommendations must be received at the U.S. Global Change Research Program Office (USGCRP), which is coordinating the U.S. nomination process, by close of business, 5 pm eastern standard time, Friday July 10, 2009

The remainder of this announcement provides background information and describes how to submit recommendations.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The IPCC was established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in 1988. Its role is to provide comprehensive, objective, open, and transparent scientific and technical assessments of knowledge related to climate change, its potential impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

The United States participates in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an intergovernmental body that oversees the development of assessments of the state of knowledge of climate change. The role of the IPCC is to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis, the scientific, technical, and socioeconomic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

IPCC assessments are commissioned by member governments and produced by scientists and technical experts. The reports undergo expert and government review and are accepted by IPCC member governments prior to their release.

Every six to seven years, the IPCC produces a comprehensive three-volume assessment of the state of knowledge of climate change. Volumes in this comprehensive assessment cover climate change science; impacts, vulnerability and adaptation; and mitigation. The 4th Assessment Report, the most recent, was finalized in 2008; the next comprehensive assessment will be released in 2014.

In addition to this comprehensive assessment, the IPCC periodically produces "special reports" that address specific topics on climate change.

How to nominate experts

DATES: A completed nomination form (download here) as well as a summary curriculum vitae for each nominee should be returned to the U.S. Global Change Research Program Office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) by close of business, 5 pm eastern standard time, Friday, July 10, 2009. The summary curriculum vitae must be in English and preferably no more than 5 pages, urgenting topical expertise and relevant publications -- must include a statement of primary expertise (e.g., climate science, disaster risk reduction, impacts of extreme events/disasters, adaptation, economics).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Allen, U.S. Global Change Research Program, Suite 250, 1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Washington, DC 20006. (Phone: 202-419-3486, Fax: 202-223-3065, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ); or visit the USGCRP Web site at http://www.globalchange.gov. Dated: June, 17, 2009. Drew Nelson, Acting Office Director, Office of Global Change, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State. [FR Doc. E9-14230 Filed Date 6-16-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710-09-P. Federal Register Page.