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Synthesis & Assessment Products

From 2002 to 2009, USGCRP was known as the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). CCSP created a series of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products (SAPs), centered around five scientific goals, that integrated research on key climate science issues and aimed to support informed discussion by decision makers, stakeholders, and the general public.

  • SAP guidelines and clarification of review and clearance process

Table of Contents:

SAP 1-1 Temperature Trends in the Lower Atmosphere: Steps for Understanding and Reconciling Differences

SAP 1-2 Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes

SAP 1-3 Reanalysis of Historical Climate Data for Key Atmospheric Features: Implications for Attribution of Causes of Observed Change

SAP 2-1 Scenarios of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Atmospheric Concentrations and Review of Integrated Scenario Development and Application

SAP 2-2 North American Carbon Budget and Implications for the Global Carbon Cycle

SAP 2-3 Aerosol Properties and their Impacts on Climate

SAP 2-4 Trends in Emissions of Ozone-Depleting Substances, Ozone Layer Recovery, and Implications for Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure

SAP 3-1 Climate Change Models: An Assessment of Strengths and Limitations

SAP 3-2 Climate Projections Based on Emissions Scenarios for Long-Lived and Short-Lived Radiatively Active Gases and Aerosols

SAP 3-3 Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate - Regions of Focus: North America, Hawaii, Caribbean, and U.S. Pacific islands

SAP 3-4 Abrupt Climate Change

SAP 4-1 Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-Level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic Region

SAP 4-2 Thresholds of Change in Ecosystems

SAP 4-3 The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land, and Water Resources

SAP 4-4 Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources

SAP 4-5 Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United States

SAP 4-6 Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems

SAP 4-7 Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study

SAP 5-1 Uses and Limitations of Observations, Data, Forecasts, and Other Projections in Decision Support for Selected Sectors and Regions

SAP 5-2 Best Practice Approaches for Characterizing, Communicating, and Incorporating Scientific Uncertainty in Decisionmaking

SAP 5-3 Decision Support Experiments and Evaluations Using Seasonal to Interannual Forecasts and Observational Data


Goal 1: Improve knowledge of the Earth's past and present climate and environment, including its natural variability, and improve understanding of the causes of observed variability and change.

SAP 1-1 Temperature Trends in the Lower Atmosphere: Steps for Understanding and Reconciling Differences
Publication Date: 05/06/2006

Prospectus

  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final

Peer Review

  • Peer Review Plan
  • NRC Review and Author Response

Draft Versions

  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments
  • Third Draft

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

SAP 1-2 Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes 

Publication Date: 01/16/2009

Prospectus

  • Draft and FRN
  • Public Comments
  • Final

Peer Review

  • Peer Review Comments

Draft Versions

  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter
  • FRN Meeting Notice July 2007

Related Materials

  • Workshop Agenda July 2007
 
SAP 1-3 Re-analyses of historical climate data for key atmospheric features. Implications for attribution of causes of observed change
 
Publication Date: 12/11/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan
  • NRC Review and Author Response

Draft Versions

  • Public Review Draft

    ​a. FRN

    b. Comments and Responses

  • Third Draft

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • FRN Meeting Notice June 2007
  • Meeting Agenda June 2007
  • Brochure

 Goal 2: Improve quantification of the forces bringing about changes in the Earth's climate and related systems.

SAP 2-1 Scenarios of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Atmospheric Concentrations and Review of Integrated Scenario Development and Application - Report 2-1A and Report 2-1B
 
Publication Date: 7/10/2007
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Draft - 2-1B

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft - 2-1A and 2-1B
  • Public Review Draft - 2-1A and 2-1B
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments - 2-1A  and 2-1B

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • FRN Meeting Notice November 2006
 
SAP 2-2 North American carbon budget and implications for the global carbon cycle
 
Publication Date: 11/13/2007
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan
  • Peer Review Draft

Responses to Comments Received During the Technical Peer Review

  • ​General
  • Preface
  • Executive Summary
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Part 2 Overview 
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Part 3 Overview
  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 15

Draft Versions

  • Fourth Draft
  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
  • Comments on Public Review Draft:
  • General
  • Preface
  • Executive Summary
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Part 2 Overview
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Part 3 Overview
  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 15
  • ESA Comments and Responses
  • NOAA Comments and Responses
 
SAP 2-3 Atmospheric Aerosol Properties and Climate Impacts 
 
Publication Date: 1/16/2009
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • FRN
  • Final

Peer Review 

  • Responses to Expert Review

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Responses to Public Comments
 
SAP 2-4 Trends in Emissions of Ozone-Depleting Substances, Ozone Layer Recovery, and Implications for Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure 
 
Publication Date: 11/13/2008 
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • FRN
  • Public Comments
  • Final

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan
  • NRC Review

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments and Responses

Related Materials

  • Brochure

 

Goal 3: Reduce uncertainty in projections of how the Earth's climate and environmental systems may change in the future.

SAP 3-1 Climate Models: An Assessment of Strengths and Limitations
 
Publication Date: 7/31/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Draft Versions

  • Peer Review Comments
  • Response to Expert Review
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Responses to Comments

Related Materials

  • FRN Meeting Notice August 2007
  • FRN Advisory Committee Meeting January 2008
 
SAP 3-2 Climate Projections Based on Emissions Scenarios for Long-Lived and Short-Lived Radiatively Active Gases and Aerosols
 
Publication Date: 9/4/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan
  • Author Response to NRC Review

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Reponse to Public Comments

Related Materials

  • Brochure
 
SAP 3-3 Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate
 
Publication Date: 6/19/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • NRC Review and Author Response

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Responses to Public Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • Brochure
  • Glossary and Acronyms
 
SAP 3-4 Abrupt Climate Change
 
Publication Date: 12/16/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Summary Document

Draft Versions

  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • Brochure
  • FRN Meeting Notice March 2007
  • FRN Meeting Notice December 2007
  • FRN Meeting Notice June 2008

 

Goal 4: Understand the sensitivity and adaptability of different natural and managed ecosystems and human systems to climate and related global changes.

SAP 4-1 Coastal Sensitivity to Sea Level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic Region 
 
Publication Date: 1/16/2009
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • Federal Advisory Committee Review Comments and Response
  • Expert Comments and Response

Draft Versions

  • Revised Third Draft
  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • FRN Meeting Notice January 2007
  • FRN Meeting Notice June 2007
  • FRN Meeting Notice July 2007
  • FRN Meeting Notice March 2008
  • FRN Meeting Notice July 2008
  • FRN Meeting Notice October 2008
 
SAP 4-2 Thresholds of Climate Change in Ecosystems
 
Publication Date: 1/16/2009
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • FRN
  • Final

Peer Review 

  • Peer Reviewed Draft

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter
 
SAP 4-3 The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity
 
Publication Date: 5/27/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan
  • Peer Review Comments

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • FRN Meeting Notice December 2007
  • FRN Meeting Notice June 2007
  • Synthesis of SAP 4-3
  • Agriculture Impacts Brochure
  • Biodiversity Impacts Brochure
  • Land Impacts Brochure
  • Water Impacts Brochure
  • Glossary and Acronyms
  • References
 
SAP 4-4 Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources
 
Publication Date: 6/20/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • FRN
  • Public Comments
  • Final

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan
  • Response to Expert Review Panel

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • Brochure Frequently Asked Questions
  • FRN Meeting Notice October 2007
  • FRN Meeting Notice January 2008
 
SAP 4-5 Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United States
 
Publication Date: 10/18/2007
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • FRN
  • Public Comments
  • Final

Peer Review 

  • Peer Comments

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments
 
SAP 4-6 Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems
 
Publication Date: 7/17/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • FRN
  • Public Comments
  • Final

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan
  • Response to Federal Advisory Committee Review Panel

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments and Responses

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • FAQs Brochure
  • FRN Meeting Notice January 2008
 
SAP 4-7 Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study
 
Publication Date: 3/12/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • FRN
  • Public Comments
  • Final

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

 

Goal 5: Explore the uses and identify the limits of evolving knowledge to manage risks and opportunities related to climate variability and change.

SAP 5-1 Uses and Limitations of Observations, Data, Forecasts, and Other Projections in Decision Support for Selected Sectors and Regions
 
Publication Date: 9/9/2008
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Comments and Responses
 
SAP 5-2 Best Practice Approaches for Characterizing, Communicating, and Incorporating Scientific Uncertainty in Climate Decision Making 
 
Publication Date: 1/16/2009
 
Prospectus
  • Draft
  • FRN
  • Public Comments
  • Final

Peer Review 

  • NRC Review 

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Responses to Comments
 
SAP 5-3 Decision Support Experiments and Evaluations Using Seasonal to Interannual Forecasts and Observational Data
 
Publication Date: 11/13/2008

Prospectus​

  • Public Comments
  • Final
  • FRN

Peer Review 

  • Peer Review Plan
  • NRC Review

Draft Versions

  • Third Draft
  • Public Review Draft
    ​a. FRN
    b. Responses to Comments

Author Team

  • FRN Announcing Committee/Charter

Related Materials

  • FRN Meeting Notice December 2006
  • FRN Meeting Notice January 2007
  • FRN Meeting Notice January 2008
  • Meeting Notes December 2006
  • Press Release
  • Brochure

Assessments and Reports

  • Fifth National Climate Assessment
  • Fourth National Climate Assessment
  • Third National Climate Assessment
  • Sustained Assessment Products
  • USGCRP Strategic Planning 2012–2021
  • Synthesis & Assessment Products 2006–2009
  • First National Climate Assessment 1997–2000
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