The good news: the National Research Council finds that the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, started in 2002, has gathered some useful climate data. The bad news: well, where do we start. Less than 2 percent of the money spent by the program has gone to studying how climate change will affect humans. The NRC finds that the 13 federal agencies involved in climate research have been “inadequate” at combining results, assimilating priorities, supporting decision-making, managing risks, and disseminating information. Only two of 21 planned reports have been published. Many climate research opportunities, particularly those designed to gather long-term data, have been delayed, cut back, or canceled altogether, and the program continues to be threatened by spending cuts. The NRC will produce a follow-up report with suggestions for improvement next year; we, on the other hand, would be happy to give our suggestions at any time. Just give us a call.
