Lubchenco Shifts U.S. Approach to Climate Science

…On Monday, the newly appointed administrator of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Jane Lubchenco, borrowed Reverend King’s words as well.

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After several years of the Bush administration stalling or obstructing federal climate scientists from fully reporting their findings, Lubchenco, a marine ecologist, brings a stark change in tone.

During one of her the first public appearances since Congress approved her nomination last month, Lubchenco addressed a collection of the nation’s top climate scientists at the NAS on Monday. “Climate change is indeed one of the greatest challenges of our time. It will permeate every aspect of our lives,” she said. “The time has come for our nation to act.”

Lubchenco said the climate program will release a report this spring detailing the latest evidence of how climate change is affecting the United States. The Bush administration, in contrast, delayed the program from publishing any comprehensive reports until 2008, the former president’s final year in office.

“Climate changes are indeed noticeable in the United States including increased temperatures, rising sea levels, and changes in patterns of precipitation,” Lubchenco said. “[The report] concludes that widespread impacts of these changes are under way and expected to increase, leading to adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, and industries.”

WorldWatch