The National Academies Testimony before Congress

Public Laws Containing Studies for the National Academies

Briefings to Congress

Congressionally Mandated Reports

Policy Statements and Historical Documents

The OCGA staff

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
National Research Council
Division on Earth and Life Studies
Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate
Committee on America’s Climate Choices

*****

Congressional Briefings
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
406 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. – 10:00 a.m.
and
2318 Rayburn House Office Bldg. – 3:00 p.m.

*****

on

America’s Climate Choices

by

Albert Carnesale, Chancellor Emeritus and Professor, University of California at Los Angeles and Chair, Committee on America’s Climate Choices, National Research Council, The National Academies

William L. Chameides, Dean, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University and Vice Chair, Committee on America’s Climate Choices, National Research Council, The National Academies

America’s Climate Choices is a series of studies that were produced at the request of Congress, in P.L. 110-161, to provide advice on actions and strategies to respond to climate change. The study included four panel reports (Advancing the Science of Climate Change; Limiting the Magnitude of Future Climate Change; Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change; Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change – all released in 2010) that provide detailed analysis of future research needs, technology and policy options for limiting greenhouse emissions and for adapting to climate change impacts, and strategies for improving public engagement and decision support. This final synthesis report provides an overview of the panel findings and recommendations, and also addresses broader issues -- for instance, describing what types of actions must be included in a comprehensive, balanced national response to climate change, and what types of decision-making frameworks and processes are needed for dealing with the complexities and uncertainties inherent to climate change.

These series of briefings were for members of Congress and congressional staff only. The report was publicly released on May 12, 2011 and can be found, in its entirety, on the Web site of the National Academies Press.