14 DAY TRIAL // A new panel report shows that a National Climate Service should indeed by created inside the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The group that was asked to make the assessments spent the past six month analyzing the pros and cons of having such an organization created within the confines of NOAA.
The study was commissioned by Congress to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). Experts at this group were the ones who published the new report, sending copies to both NOAA and Congress.
The latter six months ago asked for “a study and analysis of the organizational options for a National Climate Service within NOAA, emphasizing maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
In turn, the conclusion of the panel is it “strongly supports the creation of a NOAA Climate Service to be established as a line office in NOAA.”
“Today, I am pleased to report that the expert panel commissioned by NAPA has completed its study and released its final report to NOAA and Congress,” says Jane Lubchenco, PhD.
“Among its more than two dozen recommendations, the report calls on NOAA to play a leadership role in the coordination and delivery of climate science and services across the federal family,” adds the scientist, who is the NOAA Administrator.
“It also provides guidance on internal reorganization options and specific strategies to ensure successful implementation,” says Lubchenco, who is also the US Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
The ten-member NAPA panel that made the assessments arrived at their conclusions after extensive scrutiny. They looked over all climate data NOAA had before deciding.
Additionally, they also held interviews, roundtables, and on-line dialogues key climate “stakeholders.”
This category includes NOAA staff, local, state and federal agencies, congressional staff, as well as the academic community.
“On behalf of everyone at NOAA, I offer heartfelt thanks to the NAPA panel members and staff for their careful and thorough review of the organizational options for establishing a Climate Service within NOAA,” Lubchenco said in a statement yesterday, September 14.
“NOAA will closely review and consider all of the recommendations and observations contained in the report in the coming weeks,” she concluded.