USA: New report focuses on using science to accelerate climate action

Local governments have a new science-based resource to tackle climate challenges with the release of the report, ‘Evaluating Knowledge to Support Climate Action’ and launch of the Science for Climate Action Network. The report, published in Weather, Climate and Society and summarized in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, was authored by nearly forty science and local government experts. The intent is to help local governments use science in the U.S. National Climate Assessments and other sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adjust to now-unavoidable climate impacts.

With climate change intensifying, communities are working on solutions, but as the report highlights, new types of support are needed, including science that is more accessible, trusted, and relevant to local challenges. The report recommends a new framework that applies climate reports like the U.S. National Climate Assessment in a sustained, user-oriented process instead of a one-off release.

"Local governments and communities need help to use climate science to evaluate how mitigation and adaptation opportunities interact with their broader goals,” said Richard Moss, the lead author of the report. “This new approach will make it easier to develop science-based pathways to address climate threats to local economic growth, infrastructure, and public health.”

Building on a key recommendation of the report, to integrate climate science in routine decision making such as capital improvement planning and zoning, a Science for Climate Action Network is launching to provide guidance on a range of technical issues including bond ratings and infrastructure design. The network will convene teams of scientists, climate experts, and state and local officials to identify best practices in an ongoing process. The network will work with the latest science and technology, including the use of artificial intelligence to process city data and citizen science to collect missing data on impacts.

This committee first met and started its efforts to improve ongoing climate science resources to local governments in 2016 as part of the National Climate Assessment process. The committee disbanded in August 2017 when the Trump administration decided to let it lapse.

“While the federal government continues to deny climate change and ignore the dire need to strengthen the resilience of our communities, New York and the U.S. Climate Alliance are taking action,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. “Last year we proudly reconvened the advisory committee to put a spotlight on this global catastrophe, and this report will provide important recommendations to communities across the country as we work to address climate change.”

Recognizing the need to provide sustained resources to local government leaders, New York Governor Cuomo and leading groups re-convened the advisory committee. Twelve of the original fifteen members and eight additional experts worked to prepare the report over the last year. The reconvened committee was made possible with financial support from the New York State Energy Research Development Authority, Columbia University’s Earth Institute, and the American Meteorological Society.

The network intends to be a resource for cities, states, and tribal governments across America. “As an island state, Hawaiʻi understands the grave risks posed by climate change. We know that success can be achieved only when everyone works together from a common set of facts, and this report is a welcome contribution to our efforts. The proposed approach – one that integrates citizen and community science – can propel Hawaiʻi’s resiliency measures forward in innovative ways,” said Hawaii Governor David Ige.

Following the release of the report, the Science for Climate Action Network will focus on providing resources to governments and groups to help limit warming and adapt to the changes that are already occurring. A convening process is planned to identify top-priorities and products for local governments in a robust stakeholder engagement process.