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The Division The Academies
Topic: Climate and Weather
Reports: Academies' Findings Workshop Summaries Studies in Progress: Upcoming Reports Upcoming Events Past Events
Reports: Academies' Findings

The division produces 60-70 reports per year. These reports are unique, authoritative expert evaluations. Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review. The experts who volunteer their time participating on study committees are vetted to make sure that the committee has the range of expertise needed to address the task, that they have a balance of perspectives, and to identify and eliminate members with conflicts of interest. All reports undergo a rigorous, independent peer review to assure that the statement of task has been addressed, that conclusions are adequately supported, and that all important issues raised by the reviewers are addressed. Thus, while the reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed by the Academy.

Reports

Showing results 1 - 5 of 127

Although all weather is driven by large scale weather patterns, the characteristics of urban settings—such as buildings of varying heights and large areas of paved streets and parking lots—can generate a unique urban weather environment. Given that three out of five people worldwide are expected to live in an urban environment by 2030, accurately forecasting urban weather is becoming increasingly important to protect these densely-populated area... More >>
"Global change research" engages agencies and departments across the federal government in many diverse activities, coordinated by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). The USGCRP is developing a 10-year Strategic Plan to strengthen the Program's role in sustaining a strategically-driven, coordinated national effort. As independent advisor to the Program, a National Research Council committee has reviewed the draft Plan. The committe... More >>
Report in Brief >> During the 20th century, the National Weather Service was unable to keep up with the pace of technological advances and as a result was nearly obsolete by the 1980s. Between 1989 and 2000, the nation invested an estimated $4.5 billion to modernize and restructure the National Weather Service. Efforts to modernize the National Weather Service succeeded in achieving major improvements for the weather enterprise. This repor... More >>
As climate change warms the atmosphere, Earth's hydrology is shifting—with the potential to make floods and droughts more extreme. There is now a pressing need for decision-makers to better understand the ongoing changes in hydrologic extremes in order to make preparations for changing conditions. This report assesses changes in the frequency and severity of floods and droughts, abilities of communities to understand and forecast these changes... More >>
Advancing the Science of Climate Change Limiting the Magnitude of Climate Change Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change A five-video series on the America's Climate Choices project Climate change is occurring, is very likely caused primarily by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems. Emissions continue t... More >>
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