U.S. Global Change Research Programs: Data Collection and Scientific Priorities : Hearing Before the Committee on Science, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourth Congress, Second Session, March 6, 1996, Volume 4U.S. Government Printing Office, 1996 - 476 pages |
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aerosols agencies APPENDIX areas assessment atmosphere budget calibration capabilities carbon dioxide Chairman WALKER Change Research Program circulation climate change climate models CO₂ commercial Committee on Science cost data sets decade designed Earth Observing System Earth system EarthWatch ecosystems effects El Niņo environmental EOS data EOSDIS federal forecasts Frieman funding future Global Change Research global climate global temperature global warming greenhouse effect greenhouse gases increase instruments interactions interannual climate investigators IPCC issues KENNEL land launch Lindzen MacCracken measurements Michaels Mission to Planet MTPE MTPE/EOS NASA NASA's National Niņo Northern Hemisphere ocean ozone depletion Planet Earth potential prediction priorities questions record regions remote sensing requirements response science teams scientific community scientists seasonal to interannual sensors small satellites space spacecraft stratosphere surface testimony trends tropical tropospheric tropospheric ozone U.S. Global Change understanding users USGCRP VOLKMER weather
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Page 247 - ... a substantial fraction (a global average of one-third, varying by region from one-seventh to two-thirds) of the existing forested area of the world will undergo major changes in broad vegetation types — with the greatest changes occurring in high latitudes and the least in the tropics. Climate change is expected to occur at a rapid rate relative to the speed at which forest species grow, reproduce and re-establish themselves.
Page 299 - Nevertheless, the balance of evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on global climate.
Page 247 - The composition and geographic distribution of many ecosystems (eg, forests, rangelands, deserts, mountain systems, lakes, wetlands and oceans) will shift as individual species respond to changes in climate; there will likely be reductions in biological diversity and in the goods and services that ecosystems provide society. Some ecological systems may not reach a new equilibrium for several centuries after the climate achieves a new balance.
Page 245 - The overwhelming majority of scientific experts recognize that scientific uncertainties exist, but still believe that human-induced climate change is inevitable. The question is not whether climate will change in response to human activities, but rather where (regional patterns), when (the rate of change) and by how much (magnitude).
Page 370 - The hearing is adjourned. [Whereupon, at 2:50 pm, the hearing was adjourned.] [The following material was received for the record:] American Petroleum Institute 2101 L Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20037 (202) 457-7300 Charles J.
Page 5 - ... would represent a major start, it is not sufficient to fulfill all the objectives of this initiative. Critical activities for the immediate future include the coordination of Federal agencies, and the strengthening of international agreements to facilitate the coordination of this international effort. NASA should embrace Mission to Planet Earth. This initiative is responsive, time-critical, and shows a recognition of our responsibility to our home planet. Do we dare apply our capabilities to...
Page 383 - The role of the IPCC is to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.
Page 13 - Presidents of the National Academies of Science and Engineering and the Institute of Medicine, with the concurrence of their Councils, decided on the preparation of a small number of "White Papers" for the incoming Administration.
Page 285 - To establish the scientific basis for national and international policymaking relating to natural and human-induced changes in the global Earth system.
Page 245 - The good news is, however, that the majority of energy experts believe that significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are technically feasible through the use of an extensive array of technologies and policy measures in the energy supply and demand sectors at little or no cost to society.