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Assess the U.S. Climate
Scientific assessments are essential tools for linking science and decision making. They survey and synthesize science, within and between disciplines and across sectors and regions. They highlight key knowledge that can improve policy choices and identify significant gaps that can limit effective decision making. Assessments also track progress by identifying changes in the condition of the Earth, changes in human response, and advances in science over time.
Assessments have been integral components of USGCRP since our inception. We have a legal mandate to conduct a National Climate Assessment (NCA) every four years, the third and most recent of which was released in May 2014.
The Fourth NCA is in development.
The NCA:
- Informs the Nation about observed changes, the current status of the climate, and anticipated trends for the future;
- Integrates scientific information from multiple sources and sectors to highlight key findings and significant gaps in knowledge;
- Establishes consistent methods for evaluating climate impacts in the United States in the context of broader
global change ; and - Is used by the U.S. Government, citizens, communities, and businesses as they create more sustainable and environmentally sound plans for the future.
An emerging area of focus for USGCRP is strengthening our capacity to conduct assessments on a sustained basis. We are building a sustained assessment process that will ultimately facilitate continuous and transparent participation of scientists and stakeholders across regions and sectors, enabling new information and insights to be synthesized as they emerge. An important part of the sustained assessment process is the development of a set of national climate change indicators.
To learn more about proposed activities in support of the sustained assessment process, see the sustained assessment Assess and Engage pages.
More information:
- USGCRP's Interagency National Climate Assessment Working Group (INCA)
- NCAnet, a network of partner organizations working to extend the reach of the NCA
- Process and engagement activities in support of the First NCA, Third NCA, and sustained assessment
- Partial Spanish translation and videos related to the Third NCA
- USGCRP participation in international assessment efforts
- Contact the NCA staff