U.S. Agencies Urged to Plan for ‘Inevitable Effects’ of Warming

The Obama administration, which has been unable to push climate-change legislation through Congress, is urging government agencies to prepare for the “inevitable effects” of global warming.

(From Bloomberg / by Kim Chipman) — Strategies should be considered in every decision, and scientific data on rising temperatures and sea levels should be easily accessible to officials, according to a report from President Barack Obama’s interagency task force on adapting to climate change. The government also should develop a strategy to help poor countries contend with the climate change.

“While taking action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and avoid the effects of climate change is a priority, we must also prepare for the inevitable effects of climate change,” Nancy Sutley, head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said today in a statement, updating the group’s work.

Obama formed the task force last year to craft a plan for dealing with climate change, which scientists say will lead to more frequent and severe storms, droughts and heat waves. Congressional efforts to cut U.S. emissions tied to global warming have stalled, and countries remain deadlocked in talks for a new treaty to fight global warming. The administration says it remains committed to cutting U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions 17 percent by 2020.

Federal officials must consider how climate change will affect services, operations and resources throughout the U.S. when making decisions, Sutley said.

The task force includes Sutley’s council, the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Among recommendations are ensuring that scientific information about climate change is available to officials so they can plan as needed. The report also suggests coordinating federal efforts to respond to climate impacts, including threats to water resources, public health, oceans and coastlines.

View Obama Administration Progress Report on Work of Climate Change Adaptation Task Force.

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