New Science Reports on Climate Change and Energy

Climate change and energy reports are coming out fast and furious, as scores of interested parties prepare and lay the groundwork for the gestating climate change debates. The National Academies were scheduled to release five more reports in March and April 2009. You may be able to extract nuggets from these that can substantially aid your reporting.

• Released March 12, 2009, by the National Research Council: "Informing Decisions in a Changing Climate." This report provides information on how state and local governments can translate information from the federal government down to their local levels, and how federal agencies can better provide this information. Press release, and link to report. Additional background information. Media contact, Sarah Frueh, 202-334-2138.
• Scheduled for release April 8, 2009, by the National Research Council and National Academy of Engineering: "America's Energy Future: Alternative Liquid Transportation Fuels." This report is expected to include insights on technical hurdles, costs, and potential benefits from vehicle fuels derived from plants and coal. Background. Media contact, Rebecca Albania, 202-334-2138.
• Scheduled for release April 16, 2009, by the National Research Council and National Academy of Engineering: "America's Energy Future: Realistic Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States." This report should provide background and perspective on existing and future methods — both well-known and obscure — for improving energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industrial processes. Background. Media contact, Rebecca Albania, 202-334-2138.
• Tentatively scheduled for release April 21, 2009, by the National Research Council: "Assessing the Economic Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation — Workshop Summary." This report may be a good resource for both understanding the complexities and tradeoffs involved with this topic, and for identifying people you can contact to investigate the issue in more depth. Background. Media contact, Rebecca Albania, 202-334-2138.
• Tentatively scheduled for release April 22, 2009, by the National Research Council and National Academy of Engineering: "America's Energy Future: Electricity From Renewables: Status, Prospects, and Impediments." This report may provide a fairly comprehensive overview of and details on costs, timing, hurdles, and environmental impacts of a wide range of potential renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric. Background. Media contact, Rebecca Albania, 202-334-2138.