Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The Commerce Department said on Monday that it plans to create an agency under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that will provide businesses and community leaders with the latest data on climate change.
"Working closely with federal, regional, academic and other state and local government and private sector partners, the new NOAA Climate Service will build on our success transforming science into useable climate services," Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator and undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere, said in a statement.
The agency will create a single point of entry for local governments and businesses in agriculture, energy, transportation and other sectors seeking climate services such as air quality data and inundation maps. It will be a comprehensive source of science and services much like the National Weather Service has been for weather information.
Thomas Karl, director of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, will serve as transitional director of the agency. His post will be complemented by six new NOAA regional climate services directors.
No new funds are required to establish the agency, since funds will be re-organized to integrate NOAA's climate services. However, new funds will be needed so the agency to meet continued demands for climate data. Congress will have to approve the changes in the budget, but is not required to pass legislation for the creation of the new federal entity.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
NOAA Creates New Climate Change Agency
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