National Academies Press: OpenBook

America's Climate Choices (2011)

Chapter: Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms

« Previous: Appendix D: Agenda from the Summit on America's Climate Choices
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms." National Research Council. 2011. America's Climate Choices. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12781.
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APPENDIX E

America’s Climate Choices: Membership Lists

ACC America’s Climate Choices
 
CDIAC Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
 
CDM Clean Development Mechanism
 
CMIP3-A Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3-A
 
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
EU European Union
 
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
 
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
 
GHG greenhouse gas
 
GISS Goddard Institute for Space Studies
 
GOESS Global Earth Observation System of Systems
 
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
 
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
 
NRC National Research Council
 
OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
 
RISA NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments
 
SRES Special Report on Emissions Scenarios
 
SRM solar radiation management
 
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
 
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
 
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms." National Research Council. 2011. America's Climate Choices. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12781.
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UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
 
USAID U.S. Agency for International Development
 
USGCRP U.S. Global Change Research Program
 
WMO World Meteorological Organization
 
WTO World Trade Organization
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms." National Research Council. 2011. America's Climate Choices. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12781.
×
Page 117
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms." National Research Council. 2011. America's Climate Choices. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12781.
×
Page 118
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Climate change is occurring. It is very likely caused by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems. And these emissions continue to increase, which will result in further change and greater risks.

America's Climate Choices makes the case that the environmental, economic, and humanitarian risks posed by climate change indicate a pressing need for substantial action now to limit the magnitude of climate change and to prepare for adapting to its impacts. Although there is some uncertainty about future risk, acting now will reduce the risks posed by climate change and the pressure to make larger, more rapid, and potentially more expensive reductions later. Most actions taken to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts are common sense investments that will offer protection against natural climate variations and extreme events. In addition, crucial investment decisions made now about equipment and infrastructure can "lock in" commitments to greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come. Finally, while it may be possible to scale back or reverse many responses to climate change, it is difficult or impossible to "undo" climate change, once manifested.

Current efforts of local, state, and private-sector actors are important, but not likely to yield progress comparable to what could be achieved with the addition of strong federal policies that establish coherent national goals and incentives, and that promote strong U.S. engagement in international-level response efforts. The inherent complexities and uncertainties of climate change are best met by applying an iterative risk management framework and making efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions; prepare for adapting to impacts; invest in scientific research, technology development, and information systems; and facilitate engagement between scientific and technical experts and the many types of stakeholders making America's climate choices.

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