Posted
Oct 8, 2015Remembering James Mahoney
Dr. James R. Mahoney, the Director of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP)1 from 2002-2006, passed away on Wednesday, September 23. He was 77.
Dr. Mahoney was well-respected for his ability to fuse science and policy. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 2002 to 2006; it was as a part of this appointment that he served as the Director for CCSP.
Under Dr. Mahoney’s leadership, CCSP published reports informing the government, private sector, academia, and general public about climate change-related findings. From 2002-2003, CCSP undertook the first comprehensive update of the strategic plan for U.S.global change and climate change research since 1989, engaging over 1,300 climate scientists and information users in workshops and written comment periods focused on developing and reviewing the plan. The resulting Strategic Plan called for 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products about climate observations, expected changes in climate and the atmosphere, impacts and adaptation , and risk management that were published between 2006 and 2009.
Tom Karl, Chair of the Subcommittee on Global Change Research stated, "These assessments and other assessment reports he orchestrated have been used as a model for how to bring together the best scientific understanding across federal, academic, and private sectors. But in addition Jim was a friend and mentor to many. Science was his priority, but people were always in his heart and actions."
Following his retirement from NOAA, Dr. Mahoney maintained his connection to the program, providing input during the process that eventually led to the 2008 Revised Research Plan and 2012 Strategic Plan.
Richard Moss, Director of the CCSP Office during much of Dr. Mahoney's tenure, recalled: "Jim was a wonderful person and a master at bringing people together. He combined a commitment to excellent science with exceptional communication skills. This enabled him to lead development of a strategic plan that addressed fundamental questions about climate science and increased attention to decision support research and communication. Those who knew him will miss him deeply, both personally and professionally."
Prior to his time at CCSP, Dr. Mahoney served as Director for the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, his first public service job, in 1988. The program provided evidence to establish the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Other accomplishments during his five decades as an academic, scientist, business executive, and public servant include serving as a United Nations environmental adviser in more than twenty countries, as chairman of various committees of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and as President of the American Meteorological Society in 1990.
1 The U.S. Global Change Research Program was known as the Climate Change Science Program from 2002-2009
Dr. Mahoney was well-respected for his ability to fuse science and policy. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 2002 to 2006; it was as a part of this appointment that he served as the Director for CCSP.
Under Dr. Mahoney’s leadership, CCSP published reports informing the government, private sector, academia, and general public about climate change-related findings. From 2002-2003, CCSP undertook the first comprehensive update of the strategic plan for U.S.
Tom Karl, Chair of the Subcommittee on Global Change Research stated, "These assessments and other assessment reports he orchestrated have been used as a model for how to bring together the best scientific understanding across federal, academic, and private sectors. But in addition Jim was a friend and mentor to many. Science was his priority, but people were always in his heart and actions."
Following his retirement from NOAA, Dr. Mahoney maintained his connection to the program, providing input during the process that eventually led to the 2008 Revised Research Plan and 2012 Strategic Plan.
Richard Moss, Director of the CCSP Office during much of Dr. Mahoney's tenure, recalled: "Jim was a wonderful person and a master at bringing people together. He combined a commitment to excellent science with exceptional communication skills. This enabled him to lead development of a strategic plan that addressed fundamental questions about climate science and increased attention to decision support research and communication. Those who knew him will miss him deeply, both personally and professionally."
Prior to his time at CCSP, Dr. Mahoney served as Director for the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, his first public service job, in 1988. The program provided evidence to establish the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Other accomplishments during his five decades as an academic, scientist, business executive, and public servant include serving as a United Nations environmental adviser in more than twenty countries, as chairman of various committees of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and as President of the American Meteorological Society in 1990.
1 The U.S. Global Change Research Program was known as the Climate Change Science Program from 2002-2009