The Environmental and Energy Study Institute sponsored a Congressional briefing featuring the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) top leadership for an overview of climate change science and a look at the priorities of NOAA’s climate change program. Congressmen Gilchrest (R-MD) and Olver (D-MA), co-chairs of the House Climate Change Caucus, provided opening remarks.

Briefing Panel:


• Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., (U.S. Navy, retired.) Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator



• Dr. James R. Mahoney, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Director of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Office



• Dr. Daniel L. Albritton, Director, NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory, Boulder, CO

Congressional Respondents:


• Bryan Hannegan, Staff Scientist (Min.), Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee



• Margaret Spring, Democratic Senior Counsel, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Located within the Department of Commerce, NOAA has been conducting research and gathering data on global systems for over thirty years. NOAA is a leading source of information on water and climate forecasts, environmental monitoring, fisheries and coastline management, and oceanic changes. These programs put NOAA’s research at the forefront of climate science.

Vice Admiral Lautenbacher discussed his priorities for NOAA’s climate science research initiatives, specifically addressing U.S. efforts to expand the global climate observation system. Dr. Mahoney discussed the U.S. climate change science management structure and NOAA’s role in U.S. climate science and research. Dr. Albritton, who is lead author on the science of the climate system for the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), provided an overview of climate change science, discussing what is known--and not known--about climate change.

More information on NOAA programs can be found at www.noaa.gov.