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White House releases major report on climate change June 16, 2009 The White House and the U.S. Global Change Research Program have just released a long-awaited, comprehensive scientific assessment of climate change impacts in the United States. It presents the first region-by-region analysis of our vulnerability to climate change since 2001 and represents the best available climate science in the United States. The report outlines choices based on various global emissions scenarios including one that transitions the U.S. to a clean energy future versus business as usual reliance on fossil fuels. Dr. Amanda Staudt, a climate scientist with the National Wildlife Federation, praised the report saying, "It's a clarion call for immediate action. This report basically describes a state of emergency. It says we need to act quickly and decisively. Every state is going to be affected, and every sector of the economy." Larry Schweiger, NWF's President and CEO, called for immediate action in the face of enormous threats. "We must mobilize swiftly and decisively," said Schweiger in a statement. "Failing to act will mean more severe impacts to public health and safety, and more people, especially children, the elderly and the poor will suffer. Failing to act will put more of our natural resources and the public benefits they provide at risk. Now is the time to set America on a new energy path that combines clean energy incentives and firm limits on carbon pollution that causes global warming. There is no time for delay.” The White House/NOAA report represents a sea change in the federal government's approach to reporting climate science, and will help raise public awareness about the catastrophic impacts of unchecked climate change across the country. If you are interested in writing a letter to the editor of your local paper, please contact Peter LaFontaine (lafontai...@nwf.org) for a template or suggested talking points about how to protect natural resources in your state. For more information, visit: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090616_climatereport.html
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