A new section of GlobalChange.gov features indicators that visually communicate some of the key aspects and effects of climate change . Users can provide feedback to help shape a broader indicators system that will inform the next National Climate Assessment.
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May 5, 2015National Climate Assessment, Physical Climate, Scenarios, Modeling, Mitigation, Carbon Cycle, Adaptation
USGCRP has selected a set of emissions scenarios and climate projections to focus on for the next quadrennial National Climate Assessment. These scenarios and projections will provide a consistent basis to assess the potential future impacts of climate change and related policy choices.
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Apr 12, 2015Physical Climate, Mitigation, Carbon Cycle, Arctic
A new synthesis published in Nature suggests that thawing Arctic permafrost will release greenhouse gases gradually, rather than in a sudden "bomb". The gradual rate of these natural emissions may give society more time to adapt to their effects, but they remain a challenge for climate mitigation .
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Dec 4, 2014Mitigation, International, Adaptation
Future Earth, an emerging international research program with close ties to USGCRP’s mission, has released its plan for solutions-oriented research on global sustainability. The plan calls for a step-change in research to accelerate sustainable development and address serious environmental, social, and economic threats.
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Nov 3, 2014Physical Climate, Mitigation, International, Adaptation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Synthesis Report on Sunday, confirming that warming in the climate system is unequivocal and, if left unaddressed, will increase the likelihood of pervasive, irreversible damage to the environment and society. However, options to limit climate change and adapt to its impacts are available.
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Nov 3, 2014Mitigation, Adaptation
On Friday, Federal agencies released their annual plans for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change . Agencies cited climate impacts like rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and more extreme temperatures as threats to Federal facilities, operations, and resources.
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Sep 21, 2014Scenarios, Observations, Mitigation, International, Carbon Cycle, Energy
According to the new Global Carbon Budget for 2014, carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2013 and are on track to do so again this year.
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Aug 21, 2014Physical Climate, Observations, Modeling, Mitigation, Carbon Cycle
New NASA research shows that Earth's atmosphere contains an unexpectedly large amount of carbon tetrachloride (CC14), an ozone -depleting chemical that was banned worldwide decades ago. According to the study, global emissions of CCl4 average 39 kilotons per year—approximately 30 percent of peak emissions prior to its banning.
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Jul 9, 2014Mitigation, International, Adaptation
The United States and international partners are working together to implement Future Earth, an emerging research program focused on global sustainability.
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Apr 14, 2014Scenarios, Mitigation, International, Energy
The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that global emissions of greenhouse gases have risen to unprecedented levels, despite a growing number of policies to reduce climate change. Nevertheless, a wide array of technological measures and behavioral changes could limit the increase in global mean temperature to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.