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20 June 2006

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Workshop Report:
Session 1
Climate Information Needs for Decision Making

The first day of the workshop focused on keynote presentations from senior level officials in government, the National Academy of Sciences, and the private sector [see Session 1].  The first keynote speaker was David K. Garman, Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, who spoke on behalf of Secretary Bodman. His comments focused on the need to improve technologies to provide better access to energy resources, while not diminishing economic growth, through options such as carbon capture, nuclear power, and solar energy. 

Mike Johanns, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, drew from his experience as the former Governor of Nebraska and dealing with the development of NIDIS, the National Integrated Drought Information System.  NIDIS seeks to improve national drought preparedness by providing an incentive for agencies and partners to share information, technology and research to assess and respond to drought risk.  He pointed out that one of the next big steps in science and technology is integrated global earth observation, which will revolutionize not only climate prediction, but also our understanding of the planet. He also gave examples of USDA activities that support climate-related decision making.

Peter Lichtenbaum, Acting Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce, discussed the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate to accelerate clean technology development, which is a new climate agreement between the United States, Australia, India, China, South Korea and Japan.  It will create new investment opportunities, remove barriers, improve energy security, develop new technologies to reduce pollution, and address challenges in climate science, without a negative impact on the economy.

Ralph J. Cicerone, President, U.S. National Academy of Sciences focused on the science of climate change, noting the increasing evidence that climate is changing, and that a significant portion of those changes are due to human activities.  He indicated that the National Academy of Sciences stands ready to help CCSP.

John Stowell, Vice President of Federal Affairs, Environmental Strategy and Synergy, Cinergy Corporation, the final keynote speaker, noted that Cinergy is merging with Duke Power, making it among the nation’s largest energy producers and coal users.  It is accounting for climate change in its long range planning, including the prospect of new greenhouse gas emission regulations.  Mr. Stowell’s comments can be found online.

James R. Mahoney provided an update on CCSP activities and a workshop overview. His presentation [PDF] can be found online. His talk was followed by that of Richard Moss, Director of the Climate Change Science Program Office.  He discussed the Program’s decision support approaches and related activities.  His presentation [PDF] can be found online.