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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) comprise the
Department of Commerce contribution to the USGCRP.
NOAA's missions are to understand and anticipate changes in climate,
weather, oceans, and coasts; to publicly share that knowledge and
information; and to conserve and manage marine resources. NOAA's
world-class research and information services continually advance
scientific understanding of climate variability and change, and their
impacts on human and natural systems. In this way, the agency
generates tremendous value for the nation and the world by
imp
roving society's ability to use its climate science data and
services make informed decisions.
Climate-related changes influence society in ways that are regionally
diverse and that affect numerous sectors--including water, energy,
transportation, forestry, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, and human
and environmental health. The myriad ways in which climate intersects
with society underscores the need for scientific information to aid
decision makers in developing and evaluating options for mitigating the
human causes of climate change and adapting to foreseeable climate
impacts.
In carrying out its climate science and services mission, NOAA will
build upon a strong scientific foundation and decades of
engagement with interagency, academic, and private sector
partnerships to meet the following objectives:
• Improved scientific understanding of the changing climate  system and
its impacts;
• Assessments of current and future states of the climate system that
identify potential impacts and inform science, service, and stewardship
decision;
• Mitigation and adaptation choices supported by sustained, reliable,
and timely climate services; and
• A climate-literate public that understands its vulnerabilities to a
changing climate and makes informed decisions.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) comprise the
U.S.
Department of Commerce's contributions to the USGCRP.
NIST provides measurements and
standards that support accurate and reliable climate observations. NIST also
performs calibrations and special tests of a wide range of instruments and
techniques for accurate measurements. In FY 2009, NIST is included as a
discrete element of the USGCRP cross-cut to enhance and provide specific
measurement standards and perform research on advanced measurement capabilities
of direct relevance to the program.
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