Advertisement 
Journalists are eligible for free email subscriptions to SEJournal, including TipSheet, WatchDog (on access issues) and more.
The 2009 US Global Change Research Program report, Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, summarizes current science and focuses on impacts in different regions of the U.S. and on various aspects of society and the economy such as energy, water, agriculture, and health.
Regional Climate Impacts and Implications — General Sources, compiled by SEJ.
Other Resources:
- Pacific Northwest
- California
- Southwest
- Rocky Mountains
- Midwest/Great Plains
- Great Lakes
- Gulf Coast
- Northeast
- New England
- Mid-Atlantic
- Island Territories and Native Peoples
- Canada
- Mexico/Americas
- Other
Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment (one of the best). Contact: Ed Miles, (206) 685-1837 edmiles@u.washington.edu; or Phil Mote, (206) 616-5346, philip@atmos.washington.edu.
A regional component of the National Assessment. Regional homepage. Contact: Gunter Weller, gunter@dino.gi.alaska.edu.
Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)
NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, located in Seattle, does interdisciplinary scientific investigations in oceanography and atmospheric science. They are a major center of knowledge of the ENSO (El Nino) phenomenon. PMEL's Ocean Environment Division is partially located at the Oregon State University in Newport, Oregon. Phone: (206) 526-6239. Staff Directory.
Climate Impacts Group, Univ. of Washington
The Climate Impacts group does interdisciplinary research to understand the consequences of climate variability and climate change for the Pacific Northwest. It focuses on the intersection of climate science and public policy, especially water resources, aquatic ecosystems, forests, and coasts. CIG is a sub-unit of the Center for Science in the Earth System (CSES), which is a sub-unit of the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO). E-Mail: cig@u.washington.edu. Phone: (206) 616-5350 . Press Contact: Philip Mote, philip@atmos.washington.edu, (206) 616-5346.
Northwest Council on Climate Change
An outreach, advocacy, education, and consulting group founded by Seattle lawyer-mediator Blair Henry (author of Climate Change in a Nutshell and Global Warming for Republicans) and Univ. of Washington atmospheric scientist Richard Gammon. E-Mail: info@HenryConsulting.biz. Phone: (218) 230-4024. Press Contact: .
A non-profit whose mission is "to promote climate change solutions by providing high quality greenhouse gas offset projects and advancing sound offset policy." E-Mail: info@climatetrust.org. Phone: 503-238-1915. Exec. Director: Mike Burnett mburnett@climatetrust.org. Location: Portland, OR. Press Contact: Jed Jorgensen, jjorgensen@climatetrust.org.
The City of Portland, OR, maintains an Office of Sustainable Development that has been a national leader on municipal green development and energy projects, many of which address climate change. Phone: 503-823-7222. Director: Susan Anderson 503-823-6800. Press Contact: Cynthia Fuhrman 503-823-7007.
The Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean is a collaborative effort of NOAA PMEL and the Univ. of Washington. Location: Seattle, WA. E-Mail. Phone: . Director: Tom Ackerman, ackerman@atmos.washington.edu, (206) 221-2767. Press Contact.
Center for Science in the Earth System, Univ. of Washington
CSES performs integrated research on the impacts of climate on the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Location: Seattle, WA. Co-Director: Ed Miles, edmiles@u.washington.edu, (206) 616-5348, (206) 685-1837. Staff Directory: http://cses.washington.edu/db/personnel/index.shtml. Main Phone: (206) 616-5350.
Climate Dynamics Group, NOAA, Univ. of Washington
The Climate Dynamics Group at CSES has special expertise in modeling coupled ocean-atmosphere systems and in ENSO and other natural climate variability, with emphasis on the Pacific NW. Location: Seattle, WA. Main Phone: (206) 616-5350. Press Contact: CSES Co-director Ed Sarachik, sarachik@ecfc.atmos.washington.edu, (206) 543-6720.
Office of the Washington State Climatologist
The mission of the Office of the Washington State Climatologist (a state-sponsored office which is part of CSES) is to "collect, disseminate, and interpret climate data," and its site provides links to sources of climate data and seasonal forecasts for the state of Washington. Location: Seattle, WA. Climatologist: Phil Mote. E-Mail climate@atmos.washington.edu. Phone: (206) 543-3145.
Oregon Climate Service, Oregon State Univ.
Oregon's Climate Service is the state repository for weather and climate information, affiliated with Oregon State University's College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences (COAS) on the campus of OSU. Location: Corvallis, OR. State Climatologist: George Taylor taylor@coas.oregonstate.edu. E-Mail taylor@coas.oregonstate.edu. Main Phone: (541) 737-5705.
Atmospheric Sciences Dept., Univ. of Washington
Univ. of Washington's Atmospheric Sciences Dept. posts on the web a rich array of data and links to data about NW climate on many time scales. Main Phone: (206) 543-4250. Departmental Faculty Directory.
Idaho State Climate Services, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow
A repository of weather and water resource data for Idaho. Location: Moscow, ID. E-Mail climate@uidaho.edu. Phone: (208) 885-7004.
Alaska Climate Research Center
Part of Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, it is funded by the state of Alaska. Updates available by RSS feed every month or so. Location: Fairbanks, AK. Director: Gerd Wendler, gerd@gi.alaska.edu. E-Mail. Phone: (907) 474-7885.
International Arctic Research Center, Univ. of Alaska-Fairbanks
Supported by both the U.S. and Japanese governments, the IARC conducts and integrates Arctic-related research from a range of disciplines, with emphasis on climate change. E-Mail: infoatiarc.uaf.edu. Phone: (907) 474-2484. Staff Directory. Press Contact: Carla Browning, (907) 474-7778, carla.browning@uaf.edu; or Amy Hartley, (907) 474-5823, amy.hartley@gi.alaska.edu.
Oregon Climate Change Research Institute
Based at Oregon State University, OCCRI is a network of over 100 researchers at OSU, the University of Oregon, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, and affiliated federal and state labs.
California
California Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. Principal Investigator: Robert Wilkinson, U. Cal. Santa Barbara, (805) 893-2968, wilkinson@es.ucsb.edu.
California Climate Change Center
"The California Applications Program (CAP) and the California Climate Change Center (CCCC) aim to develop and provide better climate information and forecasts for decision makers in California and the surrounding region." Funded by NOAA and the CA Energy Commission. Its work includes modeling water, flooding, and wildfire risks. Director: Dan Cayan, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, (858) 534-4507, dcayan@ucsd.edu. Staff Directory. Report: Our Changing Climate: Assessing the Risks to California.
Scripps, Climate Research Division
Long known as one of the top oceanographic centers in the world, Scripps is also home of the Keeling curve showing the steady rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Location: San Diego and the world. Among its specialties are coupled ocean-atmosphere modeling and ENSO prediction. About. Director: Dan Cayan, (858) 534-4507, dcayan@ucsd.edu. Staff Directory.
Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison, LLNL, Livermore, Calif.
This program, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) seeks "to develop improved methods and tools for the diagnosis and intercomparison of general circulation models (GCMs) that simulate the global climate." Funded by the Energy Dept. Location: Livermore, CA. Director: Dave Bader, (925) 422-4843, bader2@llnl.gov. Main Phone: (925) 422-2486. Staff Directory. The site includes a portal to data from many of the world's major climate models.
Global Climate and Energy Project, Stanford Univ.
Focuses research on low-emissions, high-efficiency energy technologies, and overcoming barriers to their implementation. Funding from ExxonMobil, General Electric, Schlumberger, and Toyota. Director: Sally Benson, (650) 724-9721, (650) 725-0358, smbenson@stanford.edu. Press Contact: Maxine Lym, (650) 725-3228, maxlym@stanford.edu.
Univ. of California-Berkeley, Atmospheric Sciences Center
Takes an interdisciplinary approach to atmospheric sciences, with emphasis on global change. Director: Ron Cohen, (510) 642-2735, cohen@cchem.berkeley.edu. Main Phone: (510) 643-0860. Staff Directory.
Univ. of California-Irvine, School of Physical Sciences, Earth System Science Dept.
The home of such pioneers as Ralph Cicerone and Sherwood Rowland, this department houses a new generation of top-flight global change researchers. It recently hired five new faculty members specializing in abrupt climate change. Main Phone: (949) 824-8794. Staff Directory.
California Climate Change Portal
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is personally dedicated to terminating global warming, has put up this useful site offering one-stop shopping for all things climatic and Californian. It links to all the state agencies involved with climate, as well as many key documents, and has a calendar helpful for tracking upcoming news events. Contacts Page.
California Climate Action Registry
"The California Climate Action registry is a non-profic public-private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce GHG emissions." E-Mail: info@climateregistry.org. Main Phone: (213) 891-1444. Staff Directory. Press Contact: Nancy Whalen, (213) 891-6933, nancy@climateregistry.org.
Cal.-EPA Climate Action Team Report to Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature
This March 2006 report from major state agency heads, as well as private and non-profit sectors, to the California's governor and legislature oulined actions the state could take to reduce GHG emissions.
Our Changing Climate; Assessing the Risks to California
This July 2006 report on the future risks of climate change to California came from the California Climate Change Center. Under the auspices of the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program, it is a summary of more extensive techical studes by researchers at the Scripps Institute, U. Cal.-Barkeley, state agencies, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. The summary's 16-page length makes it useful for general audiences.
Climate Change in California: Health, Economic and Equity Impacts, by Redefining Progress
This January 2006 report by the non-profit Redefining Progress fucuses on the environmental justice implications of climate change. Funded by Northeast States Center for a Clean Air Future (NESCAF). Redefining Progress Oakland Office Phone: (510) 444-3041.
Climate Change in California (Fact Sheet), CA Dept. of Water Resources
This June 2007 summary by the California Dept. of Water Resources concludes that climate change is already impacting the state's water resources, and that future impacts to these critical state resources will be profound. Press Contact: (916) 653-6192.
Estimated Impacts Of Climate Warming On California Water
This article was published in the Oct. 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Water Resources Association by U. Cal-Davis researchers Tingju Zhu, Marion W. Jenkins, and Jay R. Lund. AWRA.
California Climate Data Archive
This site contains a rich archive of California data, most available online, as well as current climate monitoring observations. Great for tracking snowpack and drought Operated by the Western Regional Climate Center, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and California Energy Commission. Online only. See also.
California Energy Commission Climate Change Proceedings
California Energy Commission's climate change page links to key documents and proceedings. CEC Staff Directory. Press Contact: Claudia Chandler, 916-654-4989, mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us.
Calif. Air Resources Board Climate Change Page
This page pulls together CARB activities and documents on climate change. Program Contact: Richard Varenchik, (626) 575-6730, rvarench@arb.ca.gov. CARB Staff Directory by subject, by person, Office of Climate Change. Press Contact: (916) 322-2990, pio@arb.ca.gov.
California Climate Tracker (Desert Research Institute, Western Regional Climate Center)
Tracks climate variability and change for the state. Produced by the Desert Research Institute, Western Regional Climate Center.
Southwest
A regional component of the National Assessment. E-Mail. Phone: . Press Contact.
Great Plains (Southern)/Rio Grande Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. Contact: Robert Harriss, (281) 367-1348, rharriss@harc.edu; or Chip Groat, (512) 471-1772, cgroat@mail.utexas.edu.
CLIMAS is the acronym of the Climate Assessment for the Southwest, a part of the Institute for the Study of Planet Earth at the University of Arizona. Location: Tucson, Arizona. E-Mail: climas@email.arizona.edu. Main Phone: (520) 792-8712. Manager: Daniel Ferguson,(520) 622-8918, dferg@email.arizona.edu. Staff Directory. Press Contact: Stephanie Doster, (520) 622-8015, scdoster@email.arizona.edu.
"The mission of the Western Water Assessment is to identify and characterize regional vulnerabilities to climate variability and change, and to develop information, products, and processes to assist water-resource decision-makers throughtout the Intermountain West." It is a project of NOAA and the University of Colorado, with special expertise on the Colorado River. Location: Boulder, CO. Director: Brad Udall, 303-497-4573, bradley.udall@colorado.edu. Staff Directory.
DRI is a nonprofit, statewide division of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Location: Reno, Las Vegas, and Boulder City, Nevada; Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Phone (Reno): (775) 673-7300. Staff Directory.
Institute for the Study of the Planet Earth
ISPE is a center for interdisciplinary environmental and climate change science at The University of Arizona. Location: Tucson, Arizona. Main Phone: (520) 792-8712. Director: Jonathan Overpeck, (520) 622-9065, jto@email.arizona.edu.
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Location: Phoenix, Arizona. Main Phone: (602) 771-8500. Press Contact: Jack Lavelle (602) 771-8430.
International Boundary and Water Commission
This binational U.S.-Mexican commission established in 1889 deals with a number of cross-border water issues, some of which are related to climate change. U.S. Location: El Paso, TX. Main Phone: (800) 262-8857 Staff Directory. Press contact: Sally Spener, (915) 832-4175, sallyspener@ibwc.state.gov.
Office of Arid Lands Studies (University of Arizona)
This multidisciplinary research and teaching program at U. of Ariz. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences focuses on the sustainable use of drylands, including many climate-related topics. Location: Tucson, AZ. Main Phone: (520) 621-1955. Staff Directory.
Rangelands in the Western U.S.
This site produced by the Western Rangelands Partnership is part of the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC). Started by the U. of Arizona, the partnership includes western Land Grant colleges and extension agencies. The partnership holds annual workshops and the site offers "information and tools related to rangeland ecology and management."
Semi Arid Land-Surface-Atmosphere (SALSA)
"The Semi-Arid Land-Surface-Atmosphere ('SALSA') Program is a multi-agency, multi-national global-change research effort that seeks to evaluate the consequences of natural and human-induced changes in semi-arid environments. Current SALSA research is focused on the upper San Pedro River basin in southeastern Arizona, USA, and northeastern Sonora, Mexico." Program Leader: David C. Goodrich, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Tucson, AZ, (520) 670-6380x144, goodrich@tucson.ars.ag.gov. Collaborator Contact List.
Southwest Climate Change Web Workshop (USGS)
This multi-day workshop of experts was held in 1997 by the Interior Dept. and USGS as input to the USGCRP National Assessment of Climate Change. If you drill down to the workshop proceedings, you will find many expert articles on climate change in the Southwest.
Southwest Watershed Research Center
The Southwest Watershed Research Center is a unit of the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Location: Tucson, AZ. Main Phone: (520) 670-6381. Staff Directory. En Español.
Transboundary Resource Inventory Program (TRIP)
This multi-agency, binational program seeks to map natural resource information related to the U.S.-Mexico border region. Location: Austin, Texas. Contact: Elizabeth Ferguson, (512) 936-0129, eferguso@tnris.state.tx.us. Particpant Contact List. En Espanol.
University of Arizona/GLOBE Project
This National Science Founation-funded program at the Univ. of Ariz. is a collaborative multi-school project to map soil moisture and temperature. Participant Directory.
The Verde Natural Resource Conservation District. Location: Camp Verde, AZ. Phone: (928) 554-0463. E-mail: verdenrcd@yahoo.com.
Western Regional Climate Center
Part of the NOAA network of regional climate centers, the WRCC is linked to the Desert Research Institute. It offers extensive data on historical, current, and forecast climate. Location: Reno, NV. Main Phone: (775) 674-7010. Staff Directory.
Office of the Arizona State Climatologist
AZ State Climatologist Nancy J. Selover, Ph.D., is housed at the School of Geographical Sciences at Arizona State University in Tempe. The office offers a typical range of climate, weather, and drought data. Contact: (480) 965-0580 or (480) 965 6265, selover@asu.edu.
This office maintainst state climate data. Location: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State Univ. at Las Cruces. State Climatologist: Ted Sammis, (505) 646-2104, tsammis@nmsu.edu. Main Phone: (505) 646-5082. See also.
Office of the Texas State Climatologist
Located in the Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Geosciences, Texas A&M Univ. Main Contact: (979) 845-5044, osc@ariel.met.tamu.edu.
University of New Mexico, Climate and Surface Processes Program
This interdisciplinary program studies how climate affects landscape change; focus areas include geomorphology, soils, climatology, and paleoclimates.
University of New Mexico, Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences
Location: Albuquerque, NM. Main Phone: (505) 277-4204. Staff Directory.
DOE NICCR at Northern Arizona University
One of five regional centers in the Energy Department's National Institute for Climate Change Research. This Western Center covers 13 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Contact: Bruce Hungate, (928) 523-0925, Bruce.Hungate@nau.edu. Executive Committee Directory. Faculty Directory.
NOAA Regional Climate Centers
NOAA’s Western Regional Climate Center is a source for weather and climate data for AZ and NM (as well as ID, MT, NV, UT, WA, OR, CA, AK, and HI). http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/
NOAA’s Southern Regional Climate Center is a source for weather and climate data for TX and OK (as well as AR, MS, and TN). http://www.srcc.lsu.edu/
DOE/BLM Solar Planning http://solareis.anl.gov/eis/maps/index.cfm
This region has high potential for solar energy generation in certain locations. Among the prime sites are 6 locations recently designated in AZ and NM by the Dept. of Energy and the Bureau of Land Management. Further planning is now occurring for these sites.
West-wide Energy Corridor http://corridoreis.anl.gov/
Energy transmission corridors are a major topic in this region. To find out where corridors are being considered in AZ and NM (as well as the Pacific Northwest, California, and the Mountain West), and their planning status, check out the federal West-wide Energy Corridor Programmatic EIS Information Center (with maps available at http://corridoreis.anl.gov/eis/fmap/index.cfm).
Western Governors' Association
The Western Governors’ Association is playing a substantial role in a number of projects, including Climate Change and Adaptation (http://www.westgov.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128&...), Energy and Transmission (http://www.westgov.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=129&...), Regional Biomass Energy (http://www.westgov.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=218&...), Western Renewable Energy Zones (http://www.westgov.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=219&...), Water Strategies (http://www.westgov.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=231&...), and Forest Health and Wildfire (http://www.westgov.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127&...).
Rocky Mountain Institute http://www.rmi.org/rmi/
Efficient use of energy is one of the primary mantras of the Rocky Mountain Institute, based in Colorado.
NOAA Watch: Tornadoes http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/severe.php
Much of the Southwest region is included in the country’s tornado belt. With extreme weather generally predicted to increase with climate change, it’ll be important to keep on top of tornado events, both as they occur and for longer-term patterns. Tornadoes are one of many severe weather events tracked by NOAA.
NOAA Watch: Heat Waves http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php
Excessive heat is another severe weather trait that could increase in frequency throughout this region. It can be particularly dangerous with the extremely high heat common in southern AZ, or when combined with high humidity in OK and TX.
NOAA Watch: Drought http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/droughts.php
Pronounced drought has strangled this region for many years, and could readily continue in varying degrees.
Irrigation and Ground-Water Depletion http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/gwdepletion.html
Agriculture is an important economic component in this region, but irrigation water from ground water sources is essential for crop growth in many areas. However, this ground water is being depleted rapidly in many of the aquifers, and climate change could greatly exacerbate this problem.
On Dec. 3, 2009, the US Dept. of Agriculture released data on irrigation use in 2008 on a state-level basis. The only trend data is on a national basis, comparing 2008 to 2003, but you can see how the states in this region fare in 43 categories of analysis for 2008, compared to other states, and begin to get a handle on local irrigation use. http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Farm_an... press release, http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.ret...
Dust Storms
Major dust events in this region are occurring to a much greater extent, according to numerous researchers, and the problem could readily worsen with climate change. Some of the evidence for this pattern was cited in a Feb. 5, 2008, article carried by Environmental News Network: “Dust in West up 500 Percent in Past 2 Centuries,”
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/31743
Additional media perspective on increasing dust problems is provided in an April 5, 2007, Inter Press Service article by Stephen Leahy: “Climate Change: Southwestern U.S. Becoming a Dust Bowl,” http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37239
Southwest Climate Change Network http://www.southwestclimatechange.org/
A source for a wide range of climate change issues in this region is the Southwest Climate Change Network, funded in part by the Institute of the Environment at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
U.S. Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/climate/
The US Forest Service is another source for a number of climate change-related issues such as forest health, wildlife habitat, invasive species, recreational use, and air quality.
Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountain/Great Basin Regional Assessment
Background material from the Rocky Mountain/Great Basin regional component of the National Assessment. Principal Investigators: Frederic H. Wagner, Utah State University, 797-2852, fwagner@cc.usu.edu; Thomas J. Stohlgren, U.S. Geological Survey (Ft. Collins, CO), (970) 491-1980, stohlgrent@usgs.gov.
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).
NCAR is possibly the most prestigious center of climate research in the U.S. It is funded by the National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). Location: Boulder, CO. NCAR Earth Observing Lab. Online Library. Web Newsroom. Faculty Experts Directory (List may be incomplete; Contact PIO for others.) Press Contact: David Hosansky, (303) 497-8611, hosansky@ucar.edu.
Earth System Research Laboratory, NOAA
This NOAA lab is especially strong in atmospheric chemistry. In a recent re-organization, it absorbed NOAA's Aeronomy Lab, a center of excellence in study of processes affecting the stratospheric ozone layer, and five other NOAA research sites. Location: Boulder, CO. Director: Don Mock, (303) 497-6643, Donald.R.Mock@noaa.gov. National NOAA Staff Locator. ESRL Web Newsroom. Press Contacts: Anatta, (303) 497-6288; Carol Knight, (303) 497-6401; Jana Goldman, (301) 713-2483 x181.
Climate Diagnostics Center, NOAA (at ESRL) (Boulder, CO)
This component of NOAA's ESRL (above) focuses research on a wide range of topics related to climate variability and change, including ENSO, droughts, and floods. Alternate Staff Directory for ESRL Physical Sciences Division.
This institute is a cooperative effort bringing together NOAA's ESRL and the Univ. of Colorado at Boulder, studying a broad range of earth sciences, including many directly related to climate. Director: Konrad Steffen, director@cires.colorado.edu. Main Phone: (303) 492-1143. Press Contacts: Adriana Raudzens Bailey, (303) 492-6289, news@cires; Suzanne van Drunick, (303) 492-1227, suzannev@cires.colorado.edu; others.
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado at Boulder
LASP is part of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Its scientists fly instruments to study the upper atmosphere. Director: Daniel Baker, (303) 492-4509, Daniel.Baker@lasp.colorado.edu. Staff Directory.
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder
This department is home to interdisciplinary study of "dynamical, physical, and chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere and the ocean." Main Phone: (303) 492-7167. Staff Directory.
Colorado Climate Center, Colorado State Univ.
"The Colorado Climate Center is part of the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University." It monitors climate of the Colorado region on timescales of weeks to years and disseminates data on same. State Climatologist: Nolan J. Doesken, (970) 491-8545, nolan@atmos.colostate.edu. Staff Directory.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
UCAR is a consortium of some 70 universities and almost as many affiliates across the globe. It manages NCAR, among other things. Web Newsroom. Press Contact: David Hosansky, (303) 497-8611; Rachael Drummond, 303-497-8604.
National Snow and Ice Data Center (Boulder, CO)
This major center of U.S. cryosphere research is a joint effort of the Univ. of Colorado, CIRES, NASA, NOAA, and the NSF. Web News Room. Directory of Scientists. Extensive links to other cryosphere research organizations. Press Contact: Stephanie Renfrow, (303) 492-1497, srenfrow@nsidc.org.
Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, Univ. of Colorado
INSTAAR is an interdisciplinary program at the Univ. of Colorado studying "earth system science and global change in high-latitude, alpine, and other environments." Main Phone: (303) 492-6387. Staff Directory and scientist bios.
City of Boulder's Energy & Climate Change Portal
Includes links to the city's "ClimateSmart" program. Main Phone: (303) 441-4900.
National Ice Core Laboratory (Denver)
This USGS program funded by the NSF stores and studies ice cores from polar and cryospheric investigations, often a key source of climate data. Location: Denver, CO. Key Contacts. Main Phone: (303) 202-4830. General Info: nicl@usgs.gov.
"The mission of the Western Water Assessment is to identify and characterize regional vulnerabilities to climate variability and change, and to develop information, products, and processes to assist water-resource decision-makers throughtout the Intermountain West." It is a project of NOAA and the University of Colorado, with special expertise on the Colorado River. Location: Boulder, CO. Director: Brad Udall, 303-497-4573, bradley.udall@colorado.edu. Staff Directory.
NOAA Regional Climate Centers
NOAA’s High Plains Regional Climate Center is a source for weather and climate data for CO and WY (as well as ND, SD, NE, KS).
NOAA’s Western Regional Climate Center is a source for weather and climate data for ID, MT, NV, and UT (as well as WA, OR, CA, AZ, NM, AK, HI).
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal likely will play a substantial role in the region’s climate change discussion. An information source in the region is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
DOE/BLM Solar Planning http://solareis.anl.gov/eis/maps/index.cfm
This region has high potential for solar energy generation in certain locations. Among the prime sites are 14 locations recently designated in CO, NV, and UT by the Dept. of Energy and the Bureau of Land Management. Further planning is now occurring for these sites.
Western Governors' Association
The Western Governors’ Association is playing a substantial role in a number of projects, including
- Climate Change and Adaptation
- Energy and Transmission
- Regional Biomass Energy
- Western Renewable Energy Zones
- Water Strategies
- Forest Health and Wildfire
Energy transmission corridors are a major topic in this region. To find out where corridors are being considered in this region (as well as the Pacific Northwest, California, and AZ and NM), and their planning status, check out the federal West-wide Energy Corridor Programmatic EIS Information Center (with maps available here).
Efficient use of energy is one of the primary mantras of the Rocky Mountain Institute, based in Colorado.
Pronounced drought has hit this region for many years, and could readily continue in varying degrees.
The combination of drought and an infestation of bark beetles has killed thousands of acres of coniferous trees in this region, and the problem and its aftereffects will likely continue for many years. One source of information on this topic is the US Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station. This site also has a link to a similar problem, massive dieoff of aspen trees, as well as a link to other climate change issues.
Dust Storms
Major dust events in this region are occurring to a much greater extent, according to numerous researchers, and the problem could readily worsen with climate change. Some of the evidence for this pattern was cited in a Feb. 5, 2008, article carried by Environmental News Network: “Dust in West up 500 Percent in Past 2 Centuries.”
Additional media perspective on increasing dust problems is provided in an April 5, 2007, Inter Press Service article by Stephen Leahy: “Climate Change: Southwestern U.S. Becoming a Dust Bowl.”
Wildflowers and Native Plants
Dramatic changes in wildflowers and other native plants are occurring in high-altitude settings throughout this region. In some cases, researchers evaluating this phenomenon come to the region from far away. The University of Maryland’s David Inouye is one example. He has been researching changes for a number of years at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Crested Butte, CO. http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/scitech/release.cfm?ArticleID=1961
Many other examples of high-altitude alterations due to climate change are covered by Michelle Nijhuis in her Oct. 17, 2005, article for High Country News: “The Ghosts of Yosemite,” http://www.hcn.org/issues/308/15837
Wildfire (NOAAWatch
Wildfires have been posing an increasingly serious threat in the past decade throughout this region, and problems could readily continue or increase as drought, tree dieoffs, and increased construction in forest areas continue.
Midwest/Great Plains
Northern Great Plains Regional Assessment
Background information from the Northern Great Plains regional component of the National Assessment. Principal investigator: George Seielstad, 701-777-4755, gseielst@aero.und.edu.
Central Great Plains Regional Assessment
Background information from the Central Great Plains regional component of the National Assessment. Principal Investigator: Dennis Ojima, Colorado State University, (970) 491-1976, dennis@nrel.colostate.edu.
Eastern Midwest Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. Principal Investigator: J.C. Randolph, 812-855-4953, randolph@indiana.edu.
Purdue Climate Change Research Center
A "multidisciplinary research center focused on interrelated aspects of climate change, its impacts, and mitigation." Director: Paul Shepson, (765) 496-3212, pshepson@purdue.edu. Staff Directory.
National Severe Storms Laboratory, NOAA (Norman, OK)
NOAA's NSSL, located on Norman, Oklahoma, investigates "all aspects of severe weather.... improving severe weather warnings and forecasts in order to save lives and reduce property damage." They chase tornadoes. Main Phone: (405) 325-3620. Staff Directory. Web Newsroom. Press Contact: Keli Tarp, (405) 325-6933, keli.tarp@noaa.gov.
Midwestern Regional Climate Center (NOAA)
The Midwestern Regional Climate Center is a cooperative program of the Illinois State Water Survey and NOAA's National Climatic Data Center. Location: Univ. of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana. Main Phone: (217) 244-8226. Staff Directory.
Univ. of Chicago, Dept. of Geophysical Sciences
Within a research university of major stature, this department has programs on Climate and Global Change, Dynamics of the Atmosphere, and Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry, among other things. Main Phone: (773) 702-8101. Departmental e-mail. Website. Faculty Directory.
Midwest Governors Association Energy Summit
This is an activity of the Midwestern Governors Association, which includes ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, MI, IN, and OH. The group's 2007 Energy Summit came up with a common platform on climate. Partly funded by utility industry. Press Contact: Elizabeth Raines, (202) 624-5460.
Environmental Law and Policy Center
A nonprofit environmental advocacy center with a a multidisciplinary focus on clean energy and climate. Location: Chicago and Madison. Main Phone: (312) 673-6500. Press Contact: Jill M. Geiger, (312) 673-6500.
This policy research and advocacy group primarily represents Midwestern agricultural interests. They favor biofuels, biogas, wind, and biomass energy. Contacts: Jocie Iszler, (218) 235-8703, iszler@midwestagenergy.net; or Lola Schoenrich, (651) 645-6159 x4, schoenrich@midwestagenergy.net
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
This group represents energy-conservation groups, utilities, government, industrial energy consumers, and other diverse stakeholders. States represented: MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, IN, MI, OH, and KY. Location: Chicago. Main phone: (312) 587-8390.
High Plains Regional Climate Center
Located at the Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, this is one of NOAA's network of regional climate centers. Director: Kenneth G. Hubbard, (402) 472-6706 or (402)472-8294, khubbard1@unl.edu. Staff Directory.
Great Lakes
Great Lakes Regional Assessment
This regional component of the National Assessment was coordinated by EPA. Directory of core team, with live links.
Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), NOAA
This long-established NOAA reseach lab is located in Ann Arbor. E-Mail. Main phone: (734) 741-2235. Staff directory. Expertise directory. Library. Press Contacts: Mike Quigley, (734) 741-2149, Michael.A.Quigley@noaa.gov; or Jana Goldman, (301) 731-2483 x181, Jana.Goldman@noaa.gov.
Peter Sousounis, Univ. of Michigan
Sousounis directed the Great Lakes Regional Assessment. Phone (734) 936-0488. E-mail: sousou@umich.edu.
Historical Landcover Changes in the Great Lakes Region
This informative study by the U.S. Geological Survey is a component of the the larger Land Use History of North America project. Contact info for multiple authors is online.
Agriculture and Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region
This study was part of the Great Lakes Regional Assessment.
Proceedings of the Great Lakes Paleolevels Workshop
This report gives useful perspective on changes in Great Lakes levels. See also the GLERL lake level page, which links to a range of useful information on lake levels.
Center for Climatic Research, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
The center, founded by Professor Reid A. Bryson in 1962, was one of the earliest centers of such research in the U.S. Staff directory. Main phone: (608) 262-2839.
DOE National Institute for Climatic Change Research, Midwestern Region
This institute is a component of the Energy Department's research program. It is located at Michigan Technical Univ., in Houghton on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. States covered: ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, MI, IN, and OH. Research Projects. Director: Andrew Burton, (906) 487-2566, ajburton@mtu.edu. Program Manager: Jill Fisher, (906) 482-0981, jhfisher@mtu.edu.
Univ. of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment
Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment is a long-established, leading multi-disciplinary research and teaching institution. Staff directory. Expertise directory. Main phone: (734) 764-2550. Press Contact:
(734) 764-2550.
Union of Concerned Scientists Great Lakes Report
"Great Lakes Communities and Ecosystems at Risk," one of several regional climate impacts reports put out by the Union of Concerned Scientists, an advocacy group with considerable scientific credibility. States covered: IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, OH, PA, WI, plus Ontario. State summaries available. Main author: George W. Kling, website, (734) 647-0898, gwk@umich.edu.
Gulf Coast
National Assessment Southeast Mega-Region
A component of the National Assessment. The Southeast Mega-Region chapter of the NA's Foundation Report includes material on the Gulf Coast. The Southeast mega-region includes the Southeast, Appalachians, Gulf Coast, South Atlantic Coast, and Caribbean regions.
Gulf Coast Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. Workshop participant directory. Some lead author bios.
South Atlantic Coast and Caribbean Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. E-Mail. Phone: . Press Contact.
A regional component of the National Assessment.
Integrated Assessment of the Climate Change Impacts on the Gulf Coast Region
Lead authors: Z. H. Ning (225-771-2262 ext 268, zhu_ning@suagcenter.com), R. E.Turner (225-578-6454, euturne@lsu.edu), T. Doyle (337-266-8647, tom_doyle@usgs.gov), and K.K. Abdollahi (225-771-6291, kamrana664@cs.com). Bios. Published by the Gulf Coast Climate Change Assessment Council (GCRCC) and Louisiana State University (LSU) Graphic Services.
Its full name is the Florida Consortium for the Regional Assessment of Climate Variability and Impact of Climate Forecasts on the Americas. It teams the Center for Ocean-Atmosphere Prediction Studies at Florida State Univ., the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the Univ. of Miami, and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. Staff directory.
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
A major research institution at the University of Miami, the Rosenstiel School has some 100 faculty and 190 graduate students. Staff directory. Main phone: (305) 421-4000. Press contacts: Barbra Gonzalez, office (305) 421-4704, cell (305) 984-7107, barbgo@rsmas.miami.edu; or Marie Guma-Diaz, (305) 284-1601, m.gumadiaz@miami.edu.
Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, NOAA
Location: Miami. Phone: (305) 361-4450. Director: Robert M. Atlas, (305) 361-4300, Robert.Atlas@noaa.gov. Hurricane/Climate expert: Stanley Goldenberg, (305) 361-4362, Stanley.Goldenberg@noaa.gov. Press Contact: Jana Goldman (NOAA HQ), (301) 713-2483, Jana.Goldman@noaa.gov.
National Hurricane Center, NOAA
A unit of NOAA's National Weather Service, the NHC is generally concerned with tropical storms that play out in timeframes of days or weeks, rather than longer-term climate issues. It's the go-to place for breaking news coverage of Atlantic hurricanes. NHC is organized under NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction and Tropical Prediction Center. Hurricane expert: Chris Landsea, (305) 229-4446, chris.landsea@noaa.gov. Director: Bill Read, (305) 229-4402, bill.read@noaa.gov. Press Contact: Dennis Feltgen, (305) 229-4404, dennis.feltgen@noaa.gov. See also NOAA Communications.
Southern Regional Climate Center, NOAA
One of the NOAA Regional Climate Centers, its purview includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Located at Louisiana State Univ. in Baton Rouge. Staff Directory. Phone: (225) 578-5021.
National Space Science and Technology Center, University of Alabama in Huntsville
A consortium of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and seven Alabama research universities. Contact: James L. Smoot, NASA, (256) 961-7665, James.l.smoot@nasa.gov Contact: John Christy, UAH, (256) 961-7763 christy@nsstc.uah.edu
Atmospheric Science Department, University of Alabama in Huntsville
The UAH Atmospheric Science Department is rated among the top 10 in the country by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Faculty directory. Contact: John Christy, UAH, (256) 961-7763 christy@nsstc.uah.edu
Southcentral Regional Center (SCRC) of the National Institute of Global Environmental Change (NIGEC)
Locaton: Tulane University, New Orleans. Director: Stathis Michaelides, (504) 865-5819, emichael@tulane.edu.
NIGEC Southease Ctr @ Univ. Alabama
Location: Univ. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Director: Duane T. Johnson, (205) 348-8402, DJOHNSON@coe.eng.ua.edu.
USGS National Wetlands Research Center
National Wetlands Research Center is a unit of the US Geological Survey, located in Lafayette, LA. It conducts a variety of climate-related research involving coastal erosion and sea level rise, species habitat issues and species issues. Contact: Information Branch Chief/Acting Assistant Center Director Gaye S. Farris, (337) 266-8550, gaye_farris@usgs.gov. Virginia R. Van Sickle Burkett is Chief Scientist for Global Change Research, virginia_burkett@usgs.gov.
Location: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Director: Dubravko Justic, (225) 578-6515, wimberly@lsu.edu. Faculty directory.
A public service unit of the Institute of Science and Public Affairs at Florida State Univ., the center is home to Florida's state climatologist. Location: Tallahassee. Phone (850) 644-3417.
Alabama Office of the State Climatologist
Location: Huntsville. State Climatologist: John Christie, (256) 961-7771.
International Hurricane Research Center
The IHRC is a unit of Florida International Univ. Location: Miami. Contact: Stephen Leatherman, leatherm@fiu.edu, (305) 348-8364. Main Phone: (305) 348-1607.
Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON)
While most famous for its mapping of the Gulf's "dead zone," LUMCON is also a font of information on coastal change -- the wetland loss and barrier island erosion which increase vulnerability to climate change. Director: Nancy Rabelais, (985) 851-2801, nrabalais@lumcon.edu . Staff Directory: organizational, alphabetical.
Synoptic Climatology Laboratory, University of Miami
Housed within U. of Miami's Department of Geography & Regional Studies, this lab takes a holistic approach to weather and climate, taking the human element into accout. Phone: (305) 284-4087. Director: Laurance S. Kalkstein, (305) 284-3134, larryk@miami.edu.
NICCR Coastal Center at Tulane
One of five regional centers of the Energy Department's National Institute for Climate Change Research. Location: Tulane Univ. in New Orleans. Director: Torbjorn E. Tornqvist, (504) 314-2221, tor@tulane.edu.
Northeast
National Assessment Northeast Mega-Region
A regional component of the National Assessment. The mega-region includes Appalachians, Metro East Coast, Mid-Atlantic, and New England. Overview. Full synthesis chapter. Principal author: Eric Barron, (512) 471-6048, ebarron@jsg.utexas.edu.
Metro East Coast Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. Regional assessment home page. Project Co-Leaders: Cynthia Rosenzweig, (212) 678-5562, Cynthia.E.Rosenzweig@nasa.gov; William Solecki, (212) 772-4536, wsolecki@hunter.cuny.edu.
NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS)
NASA's GISS is one of the major multidisciplinary climate research institutions in the U.S. Its location in New York City makes possible collaborative programs with a wide range of other research and teaching institutions related to climate and the atmosphere. Director: James E. Hansen, (212) 678-5500, James.E.Hansen@nasa.gov. Staff directory. Press contact: Leslie McCarthy, (212) 678-5507, Leslie.M.McCarthy@nasa.gov
NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL)
GFDL, located at Princeton Univ., is one of the major climate research institutions in the U.S. Historically, GFDL has excelled in climate dynamics and modeling. Director: Ants Leetmaa. Main Phone: (609) 452-6500. See also NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Climate Science.
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Program, Princeton Univ.
The University component which collaborates with GFDL. Director: Jorge Sarmiento, (609) 258-6585, jls@ NOSPAM princeton.edu. Main Phone: (609) 258-6571. Faculty Directory.
The Earth Institute at Columbia Univ.
"The Earth Institute's mission: mobilize the sciences, education and public policy to achieve a sustainable earth." Director: Jeffrey Sachs (Sachs media contact: Erin Trowbridge, etrowbridge@ei.columbia.edu. General Press Contacts: Kevin Krajick, (212) 854-9729, kkrajick@ei.columbia.edu; Kyu-Young Lee, (212) 851-0798, klee@ei.columbia.edu. Web Press Room.
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO)
Part of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, LDEO is home to over 200 research scientists investigating the entire array of earth systems, including climate. Director: G. Michael Purdy, director@ldeo.columbia.edu. Main Phone: (845) 359-2900. Staff Directory. Press Contact: Erin Trowbridge, (212) 854-9495, etrowbridge@ei.columbia.edu. Newsroom.
The Cooperative Institute for Climate Applications and Research (CICAR) is a partnership between NOAA and Columbia Univ. It brings together NOAA scientists from a number of locations and fields to study a wide range of climate topics. It is especially strong in paleoclimatology. Director: Yochanan Kushnir, (845) 365-8669, kushnir@NOSPAM ldeo.columbia.edu. Brochure.
The institute studies "society's ability to understand, anticipate and manage climate risk." The IRI is a partnership between NOAA's Climate Program Office and Columbia Univ. It is part of The Earth Institute at Columbia and is located at the Lamont Campus in Palisades, NY. Press Contact: Francesco Fiondella, (845) 680-4476, francesco@iri.columbia.edu. Newsroom.
Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell Univ. (NOAA)
One of six regional climate centers established by NOAA's National Climatic Data Center. Location: Ithaca, NY. Main Phone: (607) 255-1751. E-mail: nrcc@cornell.edu.
Cornell University, Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
Interdisciplinary department studying earth, atmosphere, and oceans. E-Mail: easinfo@cornell.edu. Phone: (607) 254-8737. Staff and Faculty Directory. Newsroom.
Center for Atmosphere Ocean Research, New York University
The emphasis in this interdisciplinary NYU climate program is on mathematics and modeling. Phone: (212) 998-3224. Staff and Faculty Directory.
SUNY at Albany, Dept. of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The department's Web page has helpful links to atmospheric sciences databases, resources, and indexes via the SUNY library. Phone: (518) 442-4556. Faculty Directory.
Union of Concerned Scientists Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment
The UCS, an advocacy group, organized this report by a broad array of scientists about potential impacts of climate change on the Northeast. Full Report. Contact: Peter Frumhoff, (617) 547-5552.
New England
New England Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. Alternate site. Main Report. Other reports. Contact: Barrett Rock, (603) 862-1792, barry.rock@unh.edu.
This is the short name for the Connecticut Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change, made up of leaders from key state agencies. CT Greenhouse Gas Inventory. 2005 CT Action Plan. E-Mail: c4info@ctclimatechange.com.
The New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in August 2001 adopted a Climate Change Action Plan. NEGC Exec. Director: Charles C. Tretter, (617) 423-6900, negc@tiac.net.
New England's Changing Climate, Weather, and Air Quality
This report was published by the Climate Change Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire. Report.
"The New England Climate Coalition is a group of over 150 state, local, regional and national environmental, public health, municipal and religious organizations dedicated to achieving global warming pollution reductions in the region." Contact: Frank Gorke, MASSPIRG, (617) 292-4800, frank@masspirg.org.
New England Science Center Collaborative
This group links scientists researching climate questions with environmental educators in the region. Contact: Karin Jakubowski, Clean Air - Cool Planet, (203) 966-5693, kjakubowski@cleanair-coolplanet.org.
New England Integrated Sciences & Assessment (NOAA)
Funded mainly by NOAA as one of eight components in its Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments program. Contact: Cameron Wake, Climate Change Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire (603) 862-2329, cameron.wake@unh.edu.
New England Climate Initiative
A partnership of Univ. of New Hampshire, Mount Washington Observatory, Plymouth State College, the NH State Climatologist's Office, and NOAA's Forecast Systems Lab in Denver. Contact: see Univ. of NH Climate Change Research Center.
Climate Change Research Center, Univ. of New Hampshire
The Center is part of the Univ. of New Hampshire's Institute of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS), in Durham, NH. Director: Bob Talbot, (603) 862-1546, robert.talbot@unh.edu Faculty Directory. EOS Experts Guide. EOS Press Contacts.
Climate Research Center, Univ. of Massachusetts
Housed at the Geosciences Dept. at U. Mass. Amherst. Director: Raymond S. Bradley, (413) 545-2120, rbradley@geo.umass.edu. Faculty Directory. Geosciences Dept. Main Phone: (413) 545-2286.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Woods Hole, located on the heel of Cape Cod across from Martha's Vineyard, was a pioneer in the study of climate change under George Woodwell. The current director is John Holdren. Press Contacts: Stephanie Murphy, (508)-289-2271, samurphy@whoi.edu; Erin Koenig, (508) 289-2270, ekoenig@whoi.edu; press office, (508) 289-3340, media@whoi.edu.
Currently there is no Maine state climatologist.
MIT Center for Global Change Science
This top-flight MIT research center collaborates with a list of other institutions too long to enumerate here. Director: Ronald G. Prinn, (617) 253-4902, rprinn@mit.edu. Main Phone: (617) 253-4902. Faculty Directory. MIT News Office: (617) 253-2700, newsoffice@mit.edu.
New Hampshire State Climate Office
The position of state climatologist in New Hampshire is currently vacant. Staff Directory. Press Contact: Alasdair Drysdale (Geography Dept.), (603) 862-3144; or Lori Wright (UNH Media Relations) (603) 862-0574.
University of Maine Climate Change Institute
A multi-disciiplinary program located at the Univ. of Maine at Orono. Director: Paul A. Mayewski, (207) 581-3019, paul.mayewski@maine.edu. Main Phone: (207) 581-2190, climatechange@maine.edu. Faculty Directory.
National Institute of Global Environmental Change, Harvard Univ.
The Institute is located at the Harvard Forest research facility and Fisher Museum, at Petersham, MA. Main Phone: (978) 724-3302. Faculty Directory.
Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. It was funded by EPA, and the principal co-investigators all came from Penn State. Regional Assessment home page at Penn State. List of study participants. Coordinator: Ann Fisher (814) 865-3143, anf1@psu.edu.
Metro East Coast Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. The study area covered 31 counties (13,000 sq. mi. in NY, NJ, and CT with a population of 19.6 million) of the New York City metropolitan region. Report. Principal investigators of the NSF-funded study were Cynthia Rosenzweig (Columbia Univ./NASA GISS), (212) 678-5562, Cynthia.E.Rosenzweig@nasa.gov; and William Solecki (Montclair State Univ./Hunter Coll.), (212) 772-4536, wsolecki@hunter.cuny.edu.
Center for Integrative Environmental Research, Univ. of Maryland
Location: Univ. of Md. College Park campus. The Center's purview covers economic and social aspects of climate and is national in scope. Report: The Economic Impacts of Climate Change and the Costs of Inaction. Director: Matthias Ruth, (301 405-6075, mruth1@umd.edu; Executive Director: Kim Ross, (301) 405-3988, kross@umd.edu. On July 23, 2008, the Center released separate reports on the "Economic Impacts of Climate Change on ..." Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and Ohio.
Maryland Commission on Climate Change
Established April 20, 2007, by Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley, to form a plan to address climate change, the MCCC delivered its Interim Report on Jan. 14, 2008. Contacts: John R. Griffin (Adaptation & Response Working Group), (410) 260-8101, jgriffin@dnr.state.md.us; George S. Aburn (Greenhouse Gas & Carbon Mitigation Working Group), (410) 537-3255, gaburn@mde.state.md.us; Donald F. Boesch (Scientific and Technical Working Group), (410)228-9250 ext 601, boesch@umces.edu.
Joint Global Change Research Institute, University of Maryland (with Pac. NW Natl. Lab)
Location: College Park, Md. JGCRI staff are part of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, with Research Affiliate status at the Univeristy of Maryland. Director: Anthony Janetos, (301) 314-7843, anthony.janetos@pnl.gov. Main Phone: (301) 314-6737. Faculty Directory.
Climate Decision-Making Center, Carnegie-Mellon Univ.
This NSF-funded center focuses on decision-making in the face of climate-related risks and uncertainties. Location: Pittsburgh. Main Phone: (412) 268-5626. Director: Granger Morgan, (412) 268-2672 , gm5d@andrew.cmu.edu. Faculty Directory.
ORNL Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
The Oak Ridge National Lab's CDIAC is a primary repository of data about carbon dioxide and other trace gases in the atmosphere, the carbon cycle, and other biogeochemical cycles. It includes the World Data Center for Atmospheric Trace Gases. Phone: (865) 574-0390. E-Mail: cdiac@ornl.gov. Staff Directory.
ORNL Climate & Carbon Research Institute
This component of the Energy Department's Oak Ridge National Lab focuses on computer-modeling of the global carbon cycle and human changes to it. Director: David Erickson, ericksondj@ornl.gov. Directory of Investigators.
Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies, Institute of Global Environment and Society
This nonprofit research institute runs on grants from NSF, NASA, and NOAA. It seems to be loosely affiliated with George Mason University. Location: Calverton, MD. Director: Jagadish Shukla, (301) 595-7000 , jshukla@gmu.edu. Staff Directory.
This treasure-trove of climate information remains largely undiscovered by environmental reporters. Located at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, it is well worth a visit, since visitors can roam stacks freely. The library has virtually complete sets of almost all significant science journals related to climate. Librarians are extraordinarily helpful. Many of the resources and services are available online. Hours, Directions, and Contacts. Reference Desk Phone: 301-713-2600 x124. Reference Desk E-Mail: Library.Reference@noaa.gov.
Climate Prediction Center, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, NOAA (Camp Springs, MD)
This NOAA unit specializes in study of climate processes that take place on medium time-scales (years to decades, such as drought cycles and El Nino). Director: Thomas R. Karl, (828) 271-4476, thomas.r.karl@noaa.gov. Press Contact: Carmeyia Gillis, 301-763-8000 ext. 7163, carmeyia.gillis@noaa.gov.
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA (Asheville, NC)
This NOAA unit is the chief national repository of historical climate data. If offers a vast array of data products and services, some of which may be useful for journalists. Phone: (828) 271-4800. General NCDC Contact Info. Press Contact: John Leslie, 301-713-2087, ext. 174, john.leslie@noaa.gov.
Air Resources Laboratory, NOAA (Silver Spring, MD)
This major NOAA climate research unit has approximately 115 employees at five locations across the country with the largest group, the Atmospheric Modeling Div., located in Research Triangle Park, NC. Other locations include NOAA HQ in Silver Spring, MD; Oak Ridge, TN (Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Dev.); Idaho Falls, ID (Field Research Div.); and Las Vegas, NV (Special Operations and Research Div.). Staff Directories. Press Contact: Jana Goldman: (301) 734-1123, jana.goldman@noaa.gov.
Southeast Regional Climate Center, NOAA (Chapel Hill, NC)
Part of NOAA's network of regional climate centers, this center is located at Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Offers fee-based climate data services similar to what a state climatologist might offer; waives fees for news media. Email: sercc@cumulus.meas.ncsu.edu. Phone: (919) 843-9721. Director: Peter Robinson, (919) 962-3875, pjr@email.unc.edu. Staff Directory.
Laboratory for Atmospheres, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
This unit is part of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. It researches a wide range of atmospheric processes, including climate. Chief: William K.-M. Lau, (301) 614-6332, William.K.Lau@nasa.gov. Staff Directory.
Climate and Radiation Branch, Goddard Space Flight Center
This unit is part of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. It operates a wide range of climate research projects, many based on direct satellite instrument observations. Staff Directory.
Earth Systems Science Center, Penn State Univ.
This top-level research center takes a broad approach to climate that includes atmosphere, oceans, ecosystems, ice, and the human factor. It is home of the award-winning RealClimate.org and ClimateEthics.org blogs. Director: Michael E. Mann, mann@psu.edu Phone: (814) 865-4177. Faculty Directory. Penn State also houses the Northeastern Regional Center of the Energy Department's National Institute for Climate Change Research.
Climate Change and Human Health Integrated Assessment Web, Johns Hopkins Univ.
This site provides information on research conducted between 1998-2000 under an EPA grant, at the JHU School of Public Health. Its director, Jonathan Patz, is now at the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. Participants were drawn from institutions around the region. Directory of investigators. Experts directory.
Dept. of Geography, Univ. of Delaware
Delaware's Geography Dept. houses the state climatologist and focuses on climatology and atmospheric sciences, human geography, and cryospheric studies. E-Mail: info@geog.udel.edu. Phone: (302) 831-2295. Faculty Directory. Chairman: Brian Hanson, (302) 831-8268, hanson@udel.edu.
Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments
Based at the Univ. of South Carolina Dept. of Geography, this research team also is home for South Carolina's state climatologist, Hope Mizell, mizzell@dnr.state.sc.us. Contact: Greg Carbone, greg.carbone@sc.edu, (803) 777-0682. Faculty Directory.
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
This grass-roots activist group organizes in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. Location: Takoma Park, MD. Main Phone: 240-396-1981. Press Contact: Anne Havemann, (240) 396-2022, anne@chesapeakeclimate.org.
One of five regional centers of the Energy Department's National Institute for Climate Change Research. The Southeastern Regional Center at Duke Univ. covers an 11-state area stretching from North Carolina to Texas. Housed at Duke's Center on Global Change. Staff Contacts.
Duke Univ. Center on Global Change
Duke's center publishes a "Convenient Guide to Climate Change Policy and Technology." Staff Directory.
Island Territories and Native Peoples
Pacific Islands Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment, done under leadership of the East-West Center in Honolulu. Regional homepage. Project Coordingator: Eileen Shea, (808) 944-7253, sheae@eastwestcenter.org. EWC Phone: 808 944-7111.
Native Peoples/Native Homelands Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. Contact: Nancy G. Maynard, (301) 614-6572, nancy.g.maynard@nasa.gov.
South Atlantic Coast and Caribbean Regional Assessment
A regional component of the National Assessment. Contact: Stephen Leatherman, leatherm@fiu.edu, (305) 348-8364.
The Pacific Regional Integrated Science and Assessment, located at the East-West Center in Honolulu, "supports Pacific island and coastal communities to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate variability and change. Some of those communities are islands likely to disappear as a result of climate-induced sea-level rise. Contact: Melissa L. Finucane, (808) 944-7254, FinucanM@EastWestCenter.org. Staff Directory.
Canada
Centre for Climate and Global Change Research at McGill University, Montreal
McGill's Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences covers the atmosphere, physical oceanography, and climate studies. Main Phone: (514) 398-3764. Staff Directory.
Canadian Institute for Climate Studies
Located at the University of Victoria. Main Phone: (250) 472-4337. This institute is the secretariat for the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium.
Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis
A unit of Environment Canada. Located at the University of Victoria. Main Phone: (250) 363-8228. Staff Directory.
Mexico/Americas
Cancun Roundup: A Modest Deal's a Deal
SEJ compiled coverage of the December 2010 climate talks in Cancun, Mexico.
"Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Variability in Mexico"
An article from Acclimations, the newsletter of the US Global Change Research Program, September-October 1999, by Cecilia Conde (CiudadUniversitaria, Mexico) and Carlos Gay (Instituto Nacional de Ecologia, Mexico).
This project headed by Georgina Endfield, School of Geography, University of Nottingham, is a collaborative academic network funded by the Leverhume Trust. Phone: +0115 95 15731. E-Mail: georgina.endfield@nottingham.ac.uk.
"Summary of U.S. Federal Agency Programs and Interests in Climate Change Research and Technology and Related Areas with Mexico," U.S. Agency for International Development, September 13, 2002.
Other
China, Latin America & Caribbean, Middle East & North Africa, South & SouthEast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa: SciDev.Net's Climate Change & Insect-borne Disease
Questions or suggestions about this page? Send us an e-mail.
Topics on the Beat:
Visibility:
