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On behalf of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, we are pleased to announce major milestones in the timelines of three important reports.

 

The first of these is the Climate Science Special Report (CSSR), which represents Volume I of the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4). The final version of CSSR is released today as a step toward completing the quadrennial assessment mandated in the Global Change Research Act of 1990. 

 

As an authoritative report of the physical science of climate change with a focus on the United States, the CSSR represents the scientific consensus on climate science in America. The assessment was written by a team of America’s top experts in climate change science, including representatives from the Federal government, national laboratories, universities, and the private sector. It underwent six rounds of expert, technical review and is intended to serve as the foundation for an assessment of climate-related impacts, risks and adaptation, as reflected in NCA4 Vol. II. The Climate Science Special Report can be viewed on its interactive website at science2017.globalchange.gov.  

 

In addition to the CSSR, Volume II of NCA4--Climate Change Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States--is being released in draft form for public comment and review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. This report assesses a range of climate change impacts, helping decision makers better identify and manage climate-related risks. The deadline for providing comment is January 31, 2018. NCA4 Vol. II remains on schedule for final release in December 2018. 

 

Finally, a draft of the 2nd State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR-2) is also being released for public comment and concurrent review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. SOCCR-2 assesses the state of the carbon cycle across North America, emphasizing advances in the understanding of carbon cycle science and associated human dimensions. The report is an important technical input to NCA4. The deadline for providing comment on SOCCR-2 is January 8, 2018.

 

The drafts of NCA4 Vol. II and SOCCR-2 can be accessed through USGCRP’s Review and Comment system (review.globalchange.gov). We hope that you will review these documents and share your thoughts with the author teams. 

 

These three reports represent the efforts of hundreds of volunteer authors and reviewers who are working tirelessly to make them a reality. USGCRP is deeply grateful for their ongoing contributions.  

 

Virginia Burkett
​Acting Chair, Subcommittee on Global Change Research

 

Michael Kuperberg
​Executive Director, U.S. Global Change Research Program