In 2008, the US Congress asked the National Academies to study and “make recommendations regarding what steps must be taken and what strategies must be adopted in response to global climate change”. On May 19, 2010, the Academies released three reports responding to that request. The reports are unequivocal in their response, providing Congress a clear mandate to finally take action on passing comprehensive energy and climate change legislation.
The four-page summary of the first report, Advancing the Science of Climate Change, opens with a statement that could not be clearer:
A strong, credible body of scientific evidence shows that climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems.
The titles of the second and third report, Limiting the Magnitude of Climate Change and Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change confirm what those who have been following the issue already know – we can no longer avoid the impact of climate change. We are like a driver who sees an pile-up scene blocking the road ahead – we can put on the brakes and take evasive action, but we will not avoid becoming part of the accident.
Limiting the Magnitude addresses what we can do to limit the damage that will occur (mitigation) while Adapting to the Impacts addresses how we live with damage that does occur (adaptation). The two reports provide actionable recommendations for the Congress for pursuing that dual strategy of mitigation and adaptation.
The mitigation strategy in Limiting the Magnitude of Climate Change recommends:
- A long-term policy framework that places a price on greenhouse gas emissions. The price can be set by cap and trade, a tax, or a combination of the two. To be successful, the framework must also:
- Be flexible so that it can respond effectively to changing circumstances
- Make the US a leader in reductions and motivate other nations to participate – through bilateral and multilateral efforts
- Balance national standards that preempt state & local ones with the innovation generated by state & local efforts
- Not penalize states and regions that have already taken action
- A portfolio of complementary policies that:
- Realize the full potential of energy efficiency
- Fully deploy low-emission energy sources – renewables for electricity generation, low-carbon fuels for transportation
- Establish the technical and economic feasibility of strategies to improve existing energy sources – carbon capture & storage and new nuclear generation technologies<;li>
- Accelerate retrofits or retirements of existing high-emission infrastructure – such as coal-fired power plants
The adaptation strategy in Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change is clear that an effective national adaptation strategy requires action from all levels of government and the participation of the private sector and community groups. The report therefore recommends that a national policy framework provide:
- Resources, both technical and financial
- Incentives
- Guidance
- Information collection and sharing
to the local, state and regional authorities and stakeholders who will develop and execute adaptation efforts.
Two additional reports will be published later this year:
- Informing Effective Decisions and Actions Related to Climate Change on providing decision makers actionable information
- America’s Climate Choices, an overarching final report
Having asked for recommendations and received them, Congress should now finally take action. Legislation implementing many of these recommendations has already been passed in the House (ACESA) and is pending in the Senate (Kerry-Lieberman).
The America’s Climate Choices pages at the National Academies web site provides links to all the reports. Summaries of the published reports are here:
- Advancing the Science of Climate Change
- Limiting the Magnitude of Climate Change
- Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change