Science Friction
U.S. climate-change research found inadequate in many ways
Posted at 1:24 PM on 13 Sep 2007
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.sources: Associated Press, The New York Times
Also in Grist
The Week's Most Popular
From the Archives
Swap Meat. Study says eating less red meat improves health, helps fight climate change.
Congress Sees the Lighting on the Wall. Bill to phase out incandescent light bulbs gains steam in U.S. Congress.
Seeing Red. Nearly 200 species added to World Conservation Union's Red List.
You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have a Gristmill account, log in below. If you don't have a Gristmill account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five.