Resources
The following links can provide more information about the science of climate change and how it is affecting weather and extreme events.
IPCC
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The IPCC was established by the World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Environment Programme and represents the consensus science position on climate change, directly engaging more than 2,500 scientists from more than 130 nations. IPCC issued its Fourth Assessment Report in 2007, available for download at the web site.
The IPCC’s FAQs from Working Group I, Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis
U.S. Government Reports from the Climate Change Science Program, issued in 2008
NOAA Report - Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate
This study, led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and issued in June by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, finds human-induced warming has resulted in warmer average temperatures, increased precipitation and more frequent heat waves.
EPA Report: Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems
This report from the Environmental Protection Agency, released in July, focuses on impacts of global climate change on the human health and welfare. Among other topics, it addresses food and water supplies, natural disasters, health issues and recreation.
USDA Report: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources and Biodiversity in the United States
This U.S. Department of Agriculture report, released in May, finds that climate changes-including temperature increases, higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and altered precipitation patterns-already are affecting U.S. water resources, agriculture and biodiversity.
White House Report: Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the United States
This National Science and Technology Council report, announced in May by the White House, looks at current trends in global change and projects major trends for the future. It analyzes the effects of these changes on the natural environment, agriculture, water resources, transportation and human health.
Other resources:
For fact sheets and other information about these U.S. government assessment reports on climate change, plus links to a teleconference science briefing for broadcast meteorologists from October 2008, click here.
