Since 1989, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has submitted annual reports to Congress called Our Changing Planet. The reports describe the status of USGCRP research activities, provide progress updates, and document recent accomplishments
In particular, Our Changing Planet highlights progress and accomplishments in interagency activities. These highlights represent the broad spectrum of USGCRP activities that extend from Earth system observations, modeling, and fundamental research through synthesis and assessment, decision support, education, and public engagement.
Overview
Climate and Earth system modeling supported by USGCRP agencies such as DOE, NASA, NOAA, NSF, and others was foundational to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) on the scientific basis for climate-change, released in 2013. Along with international partners, Federal and Federally supported modeling centers
Overview
Indicators are measurements or calculations that represent the status, trend, or performance of a system (e.g., the economy, agriculture, air quality). USGCRP, with the participation of 9 of its 13 member agencies—NOAA, NASA, EPA, USDA, DOE, DOD’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), HHS’s
Overview
Hurricane Sandy hit the northeastern United States in October 2012 and was the deadliest hurricane of the season, as well as the second costliest hurricane in U.S. history. Such extreme coastal flooding events are expected to become more frequent as a result of climate change-related sea-level rise. A Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force was created to provide consistent, clear, accessible information for decision
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The American Meteorological Society (AMS) Climate Studies Diversity Project, funded primarily by NSF, leverages resources from NOAA, NASA, and academic and non-profit partners to build climate education capacity at minority serving institutions (MSIs). Through a five-day professional development
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Through its annual funding of START (the Global Change SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training), USGCRP supports the African Climate Change Fellowship Program (ACCFP), an effort that is strengthening a growing pan-African knowledge network on adaptation to climate change. The ACCFP
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The 2011–2012 U.S. drought was the most severe and extensive in at least 25 years, and the effects are still being felt in some areas of the Nation. Recently, USDA partnered with local governments, colleges, and state and Federal partners— including NOAA and FEMA—to conduct a series of regional drought workshops. Hundreds of farmers, ranchers, business owners, and other stakeholders met with government officials to discuss needs
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NOAA, USGS, and USACE are working together to help the country prepare for and manage the impacts of changing weather and climate patterns, particularly with regard to extreme events like hurricanes, floods, and drought.
Before, during, and after coastal storm events, USGS assesses the likelihood of beach erosion, overwash, or inundation,
and provides
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Coastal erosion is a long-term concern along most open-ocean shorelines in America. As coastal populations increase and more infrastructure is built to support them, demand is increasing for accurate information and regionally comprehensive analyses regarding past and present shoreline changes.
In an effort to document and understand recent trends in
Overview
Vibrio is a type of disease-causing bacteria that occurs naturally in warm coastal areas. It is the most common cause of seafood-borne disease and is associated with 95% of related fatalities. To reduce the prevalence of Vibrio-related health risks in the United States and beyond, several USGCRP