Other Research Activities

In addition to federal activities, a number of local, state, and regional activities are underway. Many of these activities have developed from the various regional assessments sponsored by the USGCRP or with the encouragement of various federal agencies. In addition, the USGCRP and federal agencies have been expanding their education and outreach activities to the public and private sectors, as described in Chapter 9.

Recognizing our shared environment and the resources it provides, it is important that the nations of the world work together in planning and coordinating their steps to adapt to the changing climate projected for coming decades. As part of this effort, the United States has been co-chair of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which is focused on impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. For the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report, the United States will co-chair IPCC Working Group I on Climate Science.

The United States is also a leader in organizing the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), which is being carried out under the auspices of the eight-nation Arctic Council to "evaluate and synthesize knowledge on climate variability, climate change, and increased ultraviolet radiation and their consequences…. The ACIA will examine possible future impacts on the environment and its living resources, on human health, and on buildings, roads and other infrastructure."  These and other assessments need to continue to be pursued in order to ensure the most accurate information possible for preparing for the changing climate.