Towards a National Climate Service
NOAA’s forecast services save U.S. agriculture up to $300 million a year through improved planting decisions, and another $520 million per year in improved water resource management. A new National Climate Service would increase NOAA’s, and its partners’, ability to serve the nation.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)
Climate influences every sector of society. Changes in the climate can influence economic prosperity, human and environmental health, and national security.
As global climate changes, the nation needs easy access to authoritative climate information to help them make informed decisions in their lives and livelihoods. The nation needs a National Climate Service.
The stakes are high. Up to 40 percent of the United States’ $10 trillion economy is affected by climate and weather events annually. Climate and weather variability can produce year-to-year swings in the nation’s economy of plus or minus $100 billion.
As the leading provider of weather, water, and climate information to the nation and the world, NOAA is the appropriate home for a new National Climate Service.
The Benefits of a National Climate Service
A National Climate Service will:
- clarify and consolidate information regarding the causes and effects of climate change;
- equip policy makers and business leaders with the most accurate and reliable information for more informed decisions;
- provide more accurate climate predictions, helping communities better prepare for heat waves, poor air quality, drought, forest fires, coastal inundation, and other phenomena; and
- stimulate the development of environmental technologies and applications in the private sector.
Humans increased carbon dioxide levels from 280 to 380 parts per million since 1880, which is very likely why global temperature has risen about 0.9°C in that same span.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)
A Focused, Coordinated Approach
No single agency can meet all of the nation’s needs for climate services. But as the world’s preeminent source for climate data and information, NOAA is uniquely positioned to coordinate climate information and services across the federal government.
A National Climate Service would not take the place of climate programs and research ongoing at other agencies. It would provide data and information agencies need to better implement their programs affected by changing climate.
Constituents are increasingly concerned about the impacts of climate change. They are demanding access to reliable information to understand how climate will affect them personally. A coordinated approach through a National Climate Service will help all federal agencies respond more effectively to their constituents’ needs.
The Nation Needs a Climate Service One-pager (pdf)
As the world’s preeminent source for climate data and information, NOAA is uniquely positioned to coordinate climate information and services across the federal government.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)
More than half the nation’s citizens live within a coastal zone. A National Climate Service would provide local planners and decision-makers with information on how a changing climate will affect their local environment.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)