Climate

ENGINEERING THE CLIMATE: RESEARCH NEEDS AND STRATEGIES FOR INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 January 2009

Arctic Climate Preservation Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2008

Arctic Climate Preservation Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) conduct a study of black carbon and organic carbon emissions; and (2) propose regulations under the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions of black carbon. Defines "black carbon" as the strongly light absorbing component of carbonaceous aerosols. Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the amount, type, and direction of all U.S. foreign aid for reducing black carbon pollution. States the policy of the United States with respect to international agreements and treaties relating to the reduction of black carbon emissions, protection of the Arctic environment, the the threat to polar bears from global warming, human rights under the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, and the reduction of shipping pollution through domestic means and through the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL).

Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008

Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish the Office of Water which shall: (1) implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005; and (2) place primary emphasis on providing safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Directs the Secretary of State to establish the Bureau for International Water within the Office of the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs which shall: (1) coordinate U.S. diplomatic policy regarding global freshwater issues; and (2) ensure that international freshwater issues are represented within the U.S. government. Amends the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 to: (1) direct the Secretary and the Administrator to establish in every priority country a program to train local water and sanitation managers to promote government capacity to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and (2) require that the water for peace and security report includes an assessment of current and likely future political tensions over water sources and an assessment of the future impacts of global climate change on water supplies. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize grants through USAID to develop technologies for providing clean water and sanitation in high priority countries with limited resources and infrastructure.

Climate Change Rebate Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008

Climate Change Rebate Act of 2008 - Requires that 35% of the total value of greenhouse gas emission allowances created by federal legislation limiting such emissions be auctioned each year to finance the purposes of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain low-income taxpayers a refundable tax credit for energy cost increases attributable to carbon regulation (climate change tax credit). Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) formulate and administer a Climate Change Rebate Program to provide monthly rebates based on energy cost increases to low-income families and families receiving federal assistance; (2) establish a schedule and standards to implement such Program. Requires receipts from the auction of greenhouse gas emission allowances to be used equally for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program under the Energy Conservation and Production Act.

Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008

Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish the Office of Water which shall: (1) implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005; and (2) place primary emphasis on providing safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Directs the Secretary of State to establish the Bureau for International Water within the Office of the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs which shall: (1) coordinate U.S. diplomatic policy regarding global freshwater issues; and (2) ensure that international freshwater issues are represented within the U.S. government. Amends the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 to: (1) direct the Secretary and the Administrator to establish in every priority country a program to train local water and sanitation managers to promote government capacity to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and (2) require that the water for peace and security report includes an assessment of current and likely future political tensions over water sources and an assessment of the future impacts of global climate change on water supplies. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961to authorize grants through USAID to develop technologies for providing clean water and sanitation in high priority countries with limited resources and infrastructure.

To authorize United States participation in, and appropriations for the United States contribution to, an international clean technology fund, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to contribute to a Clean Technology Fund to promote accelerated deployment in developing countries of technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Requires that such Fund be established and administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Prohibits the Fund from providing more than approximately 15% of Fund resources to any one country. Sets forth requirements for a country to be eligible for support from the Fund, which shall be used to cover the incremental costs of deploying clean energy technologies that result in substantial and additional reductions from baseline greenhouse gas emissions. Prohibits the Fund from providing support for any new coal-fired electricity generation facility unless certain requirements are met. Requires transparency in all aspects of the governance of the Fund. Directs the Secretary to: (1) direct the U.S. representative to oppose any proposal that would result in the Fund failing to meet the requirements of this Act; (2) encourage all the multilateral development banks to apply environmental assessment procedures in their consideration of Fund proposals; and (3) ensure that the Fund complements the International Clean Energy Foundation. Amends the the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary to seek to ensure that multilateral development banks: (1) adopt and implement greenhouse gas accounting in analyzing the benefits and costs of all projects for which bank funding is sought; and (2) expand their activities supporting climate change mitigation.

To honor the visionary and extraordinary work of Los Alamos National Laboratory and IBM on the Roadrunner supercomputer.

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008

Honors the visionary and extraordinary work of Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) for: (1) pushing the barriers of science and providing the United States with historic high-performance computing capabilities that will allow some of the most challenging problems in science and engineering to be solved, such as the safety of the nuclear deterrent of the United States, the humane genome, and climate change; and (2) achieving the capability to make petaflop calculations (1,000,000,000,000,000 calculations per second) using the Roadrunner supercomputer which is considered a crucial milestone internationally and a sign of U.S. competitiveness in the critical new area of high-performance computing.

POLICY OPTIONS TO PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 18 September 2008

Eight Steps to Energy Sufficiency Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2008

Eight Steps to Energy Sufficiency Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) take designated actions to promote advanced batteries research and development for (plug-in) electric drive vehicles, including a direct loan program for domestic production. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to prescribe procedures for oil and natural gas preleasing and leasing activities in certain new producing areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, to repeal the prohibition against final regulations for a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public land. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) enter into a streamlined refinery permitting process (upon request of a state governor or Indian tribe); and (2) report to certain congressional committees regarding additional federal incentives to increase production of cellulosic ethanol. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress regarding actions to limit litigation under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit for hydrogen installation, infrastructure, and fuel costs; and (2) extend and modify tax credits for renewable energy production, solar energy and fuel cell investment, residential energy efficient property, renewable energy bonds, energy efficient new and existing homes, and energy efficient appliances produced after 2007. Extends and modifies the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to declare certain large-scale coal-to-liquid facilities eligible for the federal loan guarantee program. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a loan program for coal-to-liquid facilities. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to permit the Secretary of Energy to construct storage facilities near pipeline infrastructure and a military base and store coal-to-liquid products in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Authorizes specified funds for the Air Force Research Laboratory to continue support efforts to test and procure coal-derived synthetic fuels for aviation jet use. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow specified tax incentives for coal-to-liquid production. Energy Security and Climate Enhancement Through Clean Coal Technology Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe specified clean coal technology incentives, including: (1) an investment credit for carbon dioxide capture, transport, and storage equipment; and (2) a credit for carbon dioxide sequestration in the generation of electricity. Provides for the issuance of clean energy coal bonds. Withdraws specified lands from certain leasing, mining and materials sales laws, and places them under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Energy for nuclear waste access to Yucca Mountain. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to prescribe infrastructure activities related to a facility licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) at the Yucca Mountain site. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish: (1) a nuclear power facility construction credit; and (2) a five-year accelerated depreciation for new nuclear power facilities. Prescribes a leasing program for oil and gas exploration, development and production within the Coastal Plain of Alaska (known as the 1002 Coastal Plain Area). Establishes the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund. Prohibits exportation of oil or gas produced under this Act.

A bill to establish 4 regional institutes as centers of excellence for research, planning, and related efforts to assess and prepare for the impacts of climate change on ocean and coastal areas.

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2008

Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) establish an Institute for Ocean and Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change at an institution of higher education in each of four separate regions of the United States; and (2) award grants to such educational institutions for research, planning, and related activities to assess and prepare for the impacts of climate change on ocean and coastal areas, including the Great Lakes.

A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study on black carbon emissions.

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008

Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work with representatives of industry and environmental groups to conduct a study of black carbon emissions, which shall include: (1) an identification of the major sources of black carbon emissions in the United States and throughout the world, an estimate of the quantity of current and future emissions, and the net climate effects of the emissions from those sources; (2) an identification of the most effective and cost-effective control technologies, operations, or strategies for additional domestic and international reductions in black carbon reductions and the health benefits associated with additional reductions; and (3) recommendations regarding areas of focus for additional research for technologies, operations, and strategies with the highest potential to reduce black carbon emissions, government actions to encourage or require additional black carbon emission reductions, and the development of a climate-beneficial tropospheric ozone reduction strategy. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on the study results within 180 days after enactment of this Act.

Greenhouse Gas Registry Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008

Greenhouse Gas Registry Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) determine the quantity of each greenhouse gas that makes the same contribution to global warming as one metric ton of carbon dioxide; and (2) designate as a greenhouse gas any directly emitted anthropogenic gas that is included in the Inventory of the United States Greenhouse Gases and Sinks, one metric ton of which makes the same or greater contribution to global warming as one metric ton of carbon dioxide. Directs each covered entity to report to the Administrator its greenhouse gas emissions for the prior calendar year. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations establishing a federal greenhouse gas registry. Specifies that such regulations shall: (1) ensure accuracy and reliability of data submitted; (2) take into account best practices for measuring greenhouse gas emissions and the latest scientific research; (3) require that submitted data are monitored using monitoring systems for fuel use, fuel flow, or emissions, wherever feasible; (4) require annual reporting on the emission of greenhouse gases; (5) establish consistent policies for calculating carbon content and greenhouse gas emissions for each type of fossil fuel reported; (6) provide for immediate public dissemination of data reported, with certain exceptions; and (7) take into account the work done by the Climate Registry and other mandatory state or multistate authorized programs and explain the major differences in approach between the system established under the regulations and the respective registries or programs. Provides that nothing in this Act preempts any state or regional greenhouse gas registry efforts. Authorizes the Administrator to bring a civil action against any entity that fails to comply with the requirements of this Act. Sets forth civil penalties for violations.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: R&D NEEDS TO MEET AMERICA'S ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHALLENGES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 September 2008

A resolution to honor the visionary and extraordinary work of Los Alamos National Laboratory and IBM on the Roadrunner supercomputer.

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008

Honors the visionary and extraordinary work of Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) for: (1) pushing the barriers of science and providing the United States with historic high-performance computing capabilities that will allow some of the most challenging problems in science and engineering to be solved, such as the safety of the nuclear deterrent of the United States, the human genome, and climate change; and (2) achieving the capability to make petaflop calculations (1,000,000,000,000,000 calculations per second) using the Roadrunner supercomputer, which is considered a crucial milestone internationally and a sign of U.S. competitiveness in the critical new area of high-performance computing.

United States Climate Action Now Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008

United States Climate Action Now Act - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to revise provisions that require states to update their building energy efficiency codes. Modifies the duties of the Secretary of Energy under such Act relating to: (1) updating the national model building energy codes and standards for residential and commercial buildings; (2) reporting requirements; (3) providing technical assistance to model code-setting and standard development organizations; and (4) providing incentive funding to states for implementing updates of building energy efficiency codes. Requires states to certify to the Secretary that they have reviewed and updated the provisions of their residential and commercial building energy efficiency codes and to certify compliance with such codes. Imposes additional requirements on states that fail to meet compliance deadlines. Amends the Federal Power Act to require the President to: (1) report to Congress on barriers to constructing new transmission lines for increasing renewable electric power generation capacity; (2) designate areas as a National Renewable Energy Zone; and (3) identify, and provide public notice of, new transmission facilities that could substantially increase the generation of electricity from renewable entities. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to establish interconnection standards for state electric utilities not subject to the Federal Power Act. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a National Bioenergy Partnership to coordinate efforts between governmental entities and the private sector to promote the deployment of sustainable biomass fuels and bioenergy technologies. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a study of black carbon emissions.

To amend the Clean Air Act to provide that greenhouse gases are not subject to the Act, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2008

Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) exclude from the definition of the term "air pollutant" carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, or chlorofluorocarbons; and (2) declare that nothing in the Act authorizes or requires the regulation of climate change or global warming.

National Oceans Protection Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2008

National Oceans Protection Act of 2008 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to secure for future U.S. generations a full range of benefits of healthy marine ecosystems. Specifies a national ocean policy and related principles. Requires each federal agency, as possible and not inconsistent with other laws, to interpret and administer policies, regulations and laws in accordance with such policy. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings National Ocean Policy and Leadership Act - Reestablishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). States that: (1) it shall be a civilian agency administered by an Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; and (2) there shall be transferred to the Administrator any authority that, before the date of the enactment of this Act, was vested in the Secretary of Commerce and pertains to the functions of NOAA. Establishes: (1) a National Ocean Advisor and a Council on Ocean Stewardship in the Executive Office of the President; and (2) a Presidential Panel of Advisers on Oceans and Climate. Designates nine ocean regions to promote coordinated regional efforts to implement the national ocean policy. Requires the NOAA Administrator to establish or designate a Regional Ocean Partnership for each region and requires each Partnership to prepare a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan. Establishes: (1) the Committee on Ocean Science, Education, and Operations; (2) a marine biodiversity research program; (3) a network of regional Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information Systems; (4) a national interagency ocean and coastal public education program; (5) the National Ocean Science and Technology Scholarship Program; (6) the NOAA Office of Education; and (7) an educational partnership with minority-serving institutions. Requires a national mass media campaign to increase public awareness of oceans. Establishes the Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund. Requires payments to coastal states for Regional Ocean Strategic Plan activities. Requires the United States Postal Service (USPS) to print a special postage stamp to enable the public to help protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystems.

CLIMATE BENEFITS OF IMPROVED BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 17 July 2008

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2008

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2009 for: (1) science; (2) aeronautics; (3) exploration; (4) education; (5) space operations; (6) cross-agency support programs; and (7) the inspector general. Authorizes additional appropriations to accelerate the initial operational capability of a U.S.-owned human spacecraft capability. Affirms support for the broad goals of U.S. space exploration policy, utilization of lunar exploration, activity related to Mars exploration, and international participation and cooperation (as well as commercial involvement in exploration). Revises requirements for a compliance report on replacement of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Limits authority of the NASA Administrator to retire the Space Shuttle and requires a report on recertification of continued flightworthiness through FY2015. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning contributions of the commercial space sector. Requires, with respect to the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) project: (1) an assessment of the effects of increased funding under this Act upon development of project capabilities; and (2) a competition for completion of the COTS crewed vehicle demonstration project by the end of FY2011, or as soon thereafter as is practicable. Requires the Administrator to take certain measures in anticipation of retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet. Requires a report on a plan to support the operations of the International Space Station (ISS) beyond FY2015 for a period of not less than five years. Requires the Administrator to report a plan for continuing the activities described in the operation plan of the ISS National Laboratory submitted to Congress in May 2007 and a budget plan that reflects the anticipated use of such activities and the amount projected to be required for FY2010-FY2020 to accomplish the objectives of such activities. Requires establishment of an International Space Station Utilization Advisory Committee and development of an implementation plan for a structure for management of national laboratory research. Establishes in the Treasury an International Space Station Research Fund. Requires the planning and carrying out of an additional Shuttle mission for the scientific utilization of the U.S. portion of the ISS as a National Laboratory by the delivery of launch-ready scientific payloads, such as the alpha magnetic spectrometer, as soon as the assembly of the ISS is completed. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning use of the Space Life Sciences Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center as an asset in ISS National Laboratory capability. Reaffirms support for well-balanced scientific research support by NASA and for nanotechnology research and development and application. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning emphasis on fundamental and basic research and the transition to application development and concerning use by NASA's nanotechnology policy for ongoing research and development in green nanoscience and nanomanufacturing. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning aeronautics research and the impact of sonic booms. Requires research initiatives on certain environmental goals, the fundamental aeronautics research program, sonic booms, aviation safety, and climate change. Requires research and development activities performed by the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate with the primary objective of assisting in the development of a flight project in another Mission Directorate of the Agency to be funded by the Mission Directorate seeking assistance. Requires the Administrator to award grants to institutions of higher education to establish one or more Centers for Research on Aviation Training under cooperative agreements with appropriate NASA Centers. Revises NASA enhanced-use lease policies. Requires establishment of an interagency commission to study the establishment of a space launch range and facilities dedicated to commercial space missions. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning appointment by the President of members to the National Space Council in accordance with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989. Requires the Administrator to review and report on NASA suborbital mission capabilities. Requires the Administrator to initiate discussions with appropriate representatives of other space-faring countries to determine an appropriate framework under which information intended to promote safe access into outer space, operations in outer space, and return from outer space to Earth free from physical or radio-frequency interference can be shared. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to study the impact of current export control policies and implementation directives on national security, the U.S. aerospace industry, and the ability of federal agencies to carry out cooperative activities in science and technology and human space flight, including the impact on research carried out under the sponsorship of such agencies. States policies concerning the detection of near-Earth objects and responses to threats posed by them. Requires development of a plan for utilizing the International Space Station in support of educational activities in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Requires establishment as a goal the funding of sounding-rockets, high-altitude balloon, suborbital flight, and small satellite payload opportunities directly linked to programs that provide significant hands-on training, learning, and research opportunities for students and instructors in higher education. Requires continuance of a program of unmanned aerial vehicle development and applications. Specifies funding for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. Requires establishment of an Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation. Requires an inventory of natural methane stocks and fluxes in the Polar Region of the United States. Prohibits NASA from initiating or implementing a reduction-in-force of permanent, non-Senior Executive Service, civil servant employees. Limits the number of term positions. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning the dilution, distortion, suppression, or impeding of research or its dissemination and requires a Comptroller General study of such releases.

HEARING ON CLIMATE CHANGE: COSTS OF INACTION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 26 June 2008

NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 25 June 2008

``PLANNING FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE AND ITS IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE AND OCEANS: STATE AND FEDERAL EFFORTS AND NEEDS''; AND H.R. 4455, WILDLIFE WITHOUT BORDERS AUTHORIZATION ACT.

United States · United States House of Representatives · 24 June 2008

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR

United States · United States Senate · 24 June 2008

A resolution commemorating the 44th anniversary of the deaths of civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner in Philadelphia, Mississippi, while working in the name of American democracy to register voters and secure civil rights during the summer of 1964, which has become known as "Freedom Summer".

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2008

Encourages all Americans to pause and remember Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner and the 44th anniversary of their deaths. Commemorates their lives and work, and those of all other brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of civil rights and voting rights for all Americans. Commemorates and acknowledges the legacy of the brave Americans who participated in the civil rights movement and the role that they played in changing the hearts and minds of Americans, and creating the political climate necessary to pass legislation to expand such rights.

Commemorating the 44th anniversary of the deaths of civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner in Philadelphia, Mississippi, while working in the name of American democracy to register voters and secure civil rights during the summer of 1964, which has became known as "Freedom Summer".

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2008

Encourages all Americans to: (1) pause and remember Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner and the 44th anniversary of their deaths; (2) commemorate their lives and work, and those of all other brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of civil rights and voting rights for all Americans; and (3) commemorate and acknowledge the legacy of the brave Americans who participated in the civil rights movement and the role that they played in changing the hearts and minds of Americans, and creating the political climate necessary to pass legislation to expand such rights.

FULL COMMITTEE HEARING ON SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTS IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 19 June 2008

AN INSECURE FORECAST FOR CONTINUITY OF CLIMATE AND WEATHER DATA: THE NPOESS WEATHER SATELLITE PROGRAM

United States · United States House of Representatives · 19 June 2008

Climate MATTERS Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008

Climate Market, Auction, Trust & Trade Emissions Reduction System Act of 2008, or the Climate MATTERS Act of 2008 - Declares the purpose of this Act to establish a federal program to reduce US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions substantially enough by 2050 to avert the catastrophic impacts of global climate change. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an international reserve GHG emission allowance program, whose allowance sales proceeds shall be used to mitigate the negative impacts of global climate change on disadvantaged communities in World Trade Organization (WTO) participant countries. Establishes the International Climate Change Commission to determine annually whether a WTO participant country has taken certain action to limit its GHG emissions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a system for issuing, auctioning, recording, and tracking GHG emission allowances; and (2) impose an excess emissions penalty on owners or operators of covered facilities that fail to submit one or more emission allowances to the Secretary for any year. Establishes a Carbon Market Efficiency Board to: (1) analyze information on the GHG emission allowance market; and (2) authorize the Secretary to carry out cost relief measures if the market poses a substantial harm to the U.S. economy. Provides for the distribution of emission allowances to owners and operators of fossil fuel-fired electric power generating facilities and of energy intensive manufacturing facilities. Establishes: (1) the Deficit Reduction Trust Fund; and (2) the Citizen Protection Trust Fund (CPTF). Directs the Secretary to administer a Climate Change Rebate Program. Provides for a healthy families fund. Sets forth allocations of specified CPTF account funds for: (1) investment in natural resource adaptation to impacts of climate change and ocean acidification; (2) owners and operators of covered facilities who take actions that result in verified GHG emission reductions; (3) states that comply with certain federal building energy standards; (4) states with GHG emission reduction programs exceeding federal GHG emission reduction targets; (5) reductions in GHG emissions from the agriculture and forestry sectors, including those from deforestation activities in foreign countries; and (6) states and load-serving entities that implement energy-efficiency programs. Requires distribution of certain funds for grants for fixed guideway transit and other specified alternative transportation projects. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) develop a federal greenhouse gas registry; (2) make certain GHG emission determinations for covered facilities; and (3) promulgate regulations that require that U.S. GHG emissions in uncovered sectors do not grow.

PLANNING COMMUNITIES FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 18 June 2008

Climate Change Drinking Water Adaptation Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2008

Climate Change Drinking Water Adaptation Research Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist suppliers of drinking water in adapting to the effects of climate change. Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality and quantity impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) infrastructure impacts and solutions; (4) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (5) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (6) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions; (7) utilities management, decision support systems, and water management models; (8) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy demand management; (9) water conservation and demand management; and (10) communications, education, and public acceptance.

Impeaching George W. Bush, President of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors.

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2008

Impeaches President George W. Bush for high crimes and misdemeanors. Sets forth articles of impeachment stating that President Bush, in violation of his oath of office: (1) illegally spent public dollars on a secret propaganda program to manufacture a false cause for war against Iraq; (2) misused intelligence reports to deceive Congress and the public about a connection between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda and the the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; (3) mislead Congress and the public into believing that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and posed an imminent threat to the United States; (4) illegally misspent funds to begin a war in secret prior to congressional authorization; (5) invaded Iraq in violation of U.S. law, the United Nations Charter, and international criminal law and failed to obtain a declaration of war; (6) failed to protect U.S. troops in Iraq by not providing them with body and vehicle armor and promoted false stories about the deaths and injuries of members of the U.S. military; (7) used public funds to construct permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq; (8) invaded Iraq to obtain control of its oil resources; (9) created a secret task force to guide U.S. energy and military policy in usurpation of the role of Congress in legislating such policy; (10) misused classified intelligence information and conspired to identify a covert agent of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (11) established policies granting U.S. government contractors in Iraq immunity from prosecution; (12) recklessly misspent public dollars on private contractors in Iraq; (13) detained U.S. citizens and foreign captives indefinitely and without charge; (14) authorized torture of captives in Afghanistan and Iraq; (15) kidnapped and transported individuals to countries known to practice torture; (16) authorized the arrest and detention of at least 2,500 children as enemy combatants in violation of the Geneva Convention; (17) mislead Congress and the public about threats from Iran; (18) created secret laws through the issuance of legal opinions by the Department of Justice and violated the Posse Comitatus Act; (19) authorized warrantless electronic surveillance of U.S. citizens; (20) directed telecommunication companies to create databases of the private telephone numbers and emails of U.S. citizens; (21) used signing statements to claim the right to violate laws enacted by Congress; (22) failed to comply with congressional subpoenas and instructed former executive branch employees not to comply with such subpoenas; (23) tampered with the conduct of free and fair elections and corrupted the administration of justice; (24) conspired to violate the voting rights of U.S. citizens; (25) pursued policies calculated to destroy the Medicare program; (26) failed to prepare for the predictable disasters caused by Hurricane Katrina; (27) mislead Congress and the public in an effort to undermine efforts to address global climate change; and (28) failed to take proper steps to protect the United States against the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, obstructed investigations into such attacks, and recklessly endangered the health of first responders near the site of such attacks.

Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2008

Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which affected entities must report information regarding fossil fuels and the GHGs produced, consumed, or sequestered; (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050; and (3) a GHG emission allowance transfer system for specified covered facilities that emit more than 10,000 carbon dioxide equivalents of GHGs in a year, including facilities within the electric power sector, industrial facilities, facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal- based liquid or gaseous fuel, local distribution companies that deliver natural gas, and facilities that produce for sale or distribution, or entities that import, certain fluorinated gases that are GHGs. Provides for the use of domestic or international offsets and destruction credits. Requires the Administrator to: (1) allocate allowances to owners or operators of manufacturing facilities that are located in the United States and that principally manufacture trade-exposed primary goods for 2012-2019; and (2) auction all other allowances. Establishes, and provides for the deposit of auction proceeds to and allocations from, the: (1) Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act Management Fund; (2) Climate Change Education and Outreach Fund; (3) Climate Trust Rebate Fund; (4) Low-Carbon Technology Fund; (5) National Energy Efficiency Fund; (6) Agriculture and Forestry Carbon Fund; (7) Climate Change Worker Transition Fund; (8) National Climate Change Adaptation Fund; (9) Natural Resource Conservation Fund; (10) International Forest Protection Fund; (11) International Clean Technology Fund; and (12) International Climate Change Adaptation Fund. Requires the Administrator to establish: (1) an international reserve allowance program; (2) standards for the best available control technologies and practices for reducing methane or nitrous oxide emissions from specified stationary sources; (3) standards of emission performance for certain new electric generating units; (4) requirements regarding the distribution, use, and disposal of hydrofluorocarbon substitutes; and (5) requirements to reduce GHG emissions of transportation fuel produced, refined, blended, or imported by fuel providers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish climate trust tax credits for working families and senior citizens, climate trust rebates for low-income households, and health coverage tax credits for certain workers. Requires the establishment of: (1) the Worker Transition Assistance Program by the Secretary of Labor; (2) an interagency group to determine whether foreign counties have addressed GHGs, a National Climate Change Adaptation Council, and an Interagency Climate Change Task Force by the President; (3) a National Climate Change Adaptation Program and a National Climate Service by the Secretary of Commerce; (4) a Science Advisory Board by the Secretary of the Interior; (5) a Climate Change Education Program by the Director of the National Science Foundation; and (6) an International Climate Change Adaptation Program by the Secretary of State. Considers California's application for a waiver of preemption for regulations to control GHG emissions from motor vehicles to be approved. Amends the Federal Power Act to establish in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) an Office of Carbon Market Oversight. Provides for the regulation of carbon markets. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Administrator to promulgate regulations for state underground injection control programs establishing standards for permitting underground injection of carbon dioxide for purposes of geological sequestration. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to require the Secretary of Energy to update and provide incentive funding to states for implementing national model building energy codes and standards.

National Capital Region Leadership in Environmental and Energy Stewardship Commission Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2008

National Capital Region Leadership in Environmental and Energy Stewardship Commission Act - Establishes the National Capital Region Leadership in Environmental and Energy Stewardship Commission, requiring it to: (1) analyze the overall facility environmental and energy footprint and impact of the federal government in the National Capital Region; (2) hold a nationwide competition for a cash prize to find innovative solutions to significantly eliminate such emissions and reduce dependence on the national power grid by making local combustion facilities climate neutral or implementing other technologies to achieve the same goals; (3) analyze existing and upcoming technologies which the government can implement to eliminate facility pollution and reduce dependence on the national power grid; and (4) recommend appropriate ways for the government to significantly eliminate facility pollution emissions, including greenhouse gases, and reduce its dependence on the national electrical grid.

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS IN WASHINGTON STATE

United States · United States Senate · 27 May 2008

A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to temporarily prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from considering global climate change as a natural or manmade factor in determining whether a species is a threatened or endangered species, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008

Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from considering global climate change as a natural or manmade factor in the determination as to whether a species is threatened or endangered until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notifies the Secretary that: (1) each major emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) (specifically including China, India, and the United States) has ratified an international agreement to reduce the quantity of GHGs emitted; and (2) any such emitter found to not to be in compliance with such agreement, in any year, becomes compliant. Makes this Act effective as of January 1, 2006.

American Energy Independence Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008

American Energy Independence Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for tax credits for energy efficiency, alternative and unconventional fuel, and nuclear power; and (2) revise provisions concerning tax credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to make loan guarantees for advanced conservation and fuel efficiency motor vehicle technology projects for the production of vehicles that do not exceed 10,000 pounds. Includes among projects eligible for assistance under the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program projects for the operation and maintenance of intelligent transportation system strategies that serve nonattainment or maintenance areas. Requires the: (1) Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to develop jet fuel produced from clean coal and from alternative and unconventional domestic feedstocks; and (2) Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to designate an institution that has existing facilities and experience in the development and deployment of such technologies as the Center for Excellence for Coal-to-Jet-Fuel Research. Designates a fund comprised of revenues from fees for loan guarantees as the Incentives for Innovative Technologies Fund. Limits payments made by the Secretary for costs that result from certain nuclear plant delays to costs that occur after the initial 30-day period of covered delay and that are no more than $500 million per contract. Requires the Secretary to implement a Nuclear Power 2010 Program. Establishes an interagency working group to promote increasing domestic manufacture capacity and export of domestic nuclear energy products and services. Requires the Secretary of Labor to implement a program to provide workforce training for the nuclear utility and nuclear energy products and services industries. Amends the Atomic Energy Act to revise provisions concerning hearings and judicial review for proceedings on licenses or construction permits. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Nuclear Energy Council. Authorizes the Secretary to initiate spent nuclear fuel storage agreements. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to revise provisions concerning contracts for the transportation and disposal of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel of domestic origin. Requires the Secretary to offer to settle actions for damages resulting from failure to commence accepting such fuel or waste on or before January 31, 1998. Prohibits expenditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund for research and development of activities on advanced nuclear fuel cycle technologies. American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in environmentally sound exploration, development, and production of resources in the Coastal Plain, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Alaska. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition of the production of oil and gas from ANWR. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to designate Special Areas within the Coastal Plain that may be excluded from leasing. Requires 50% of royalty revenues from leasing to be paid to Alaska. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) issue rights of way across the Coastal Plain for transportation of oil and gas; and (2) convey to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation specified estates. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance from the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to eligible entities impacted by the exploration for, or production of, oil and gas on the Coastal Plain. Terminates the prohibition on: (1) leasing of federal submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf for the exploration, development, or production of oil or gas; (2) issuing federal permits for such exploration, development, or production; and (3) expending federal funds on such leases or permits. Requires federal agencies which received funds for conducting climate change basic research to use such funds only for climate change applied research.

CREATING JOBS WITH CLIMATE SOLUTIONS: HOW AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY CAN HELP LOWER COSTS IN A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY

United States · United States Senate · 21 May 2008

CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION

United States · United States Senate · 20 May 2008

Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008

Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which certain facilities must report information regarding fossil fuels and GHGs produced and consumed; and (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050. Requires the Administrator to establish a GHG emission allowance transfer system for the following: (1) facilities that use more than 5,000 tons of coal in a year; (2) facilities in the natural gas sector; (3) facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal-based fuel the combustion of which will emit group I GHGs; (4) facilities that produce or entities that import, in any year, more than 10,000 carbon dioxide equivalents of chemicals that are group I GHGs; and (5) facilities that emit as a byproduct of the production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons more than 10,000 carbon dioxide equivalents of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in any year. Provides for the use of feedstock, sequestration, and destruction credits. Establishes: (1) a domestic offset program to sequester GHGs; (2) the Bonus Allowance Account for carbon capture and sequestration projects; (3) the Carbon Market Efficiency Board, which shall analyze the national GHG emission market and implement cost relief measures if the market poses significant harm to the U.S. economy; (4) the Climate Change Credit Corporation, to which specified percentages of emission and remainder emission allowances for 2012-2050 shall be allocated and which shall auction such allowances annually; and (5) the Deficit Reduction Fund into which auction proceeds shall be deposited. Requires the Administrator to establish new qualifying levels and requirements of Energy Star certification for retail carbon offsets. Provides for the allocation and distribution of emission allowances to states and facilities on the basis of emission reductions, energy savings, state programs that exceed federal emission reduction targets, state expenditures for low-income home energy assistance programs, and relative potential carbon dioxide emissions. Specifies how states shall use such allowances, including to mitigate impacts on low-income energy consumers, to promote energy efficiency and investment in nonemitting electricity generation technology, to improve public transportation, to encourage advances in energy technology that reduce or sequester GHG emissions, to address impacts of climate change, and to improve recycling programs. Establishes and provides for the deposit of auction proceeds to and allocations from: (1) the Energy Assistance Fund; (2) the Climate Change Worker Training Fund; (3) the Adaptation Fund; (4) the Climate Change and National Security Fund; (5) the Bureau of Land Management Emergency Firefighting Fund; (6) the Forest Service Emergency Firefighting Fund; and (7) the Climate Security Act Management Fund. Provides for the use of auction proceeds, including for programs concerning zero- or low-carbon energy technologies, advanced coal and sequestration technologies, incentives for production of fuel from cellulosic biomass, advanced technology vehicles manufacturing incentives, and sustainable energy. Requires the Secretary of State to establish an International Climate Change Adaptation and National Security Program within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to set forth provisions concerning appliance energy efficiency requirements and state building energy efficiency code updates. Requires the President to establish: (1) an interagency group to determine whether foreign countries have addressed GHGs; and (2) an Interagency Climate Change Task Force. Requires: (1) the Administrator to establish an international reserve allowance program; and (2) the proceeds from sales of such allowances to be used to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on other countries' disadvantaged communities. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator to permit commercial-scale underground injection of carbon dioxide for purposes of geological sequestration. Requires the Administrator to establish a cap on and allocate allowances for HFC consumption in the United States for 2010-2050. Prohibits consumption of an HFC or products or equipment containing any HFC except as provided in this Act. Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) set forth requirements concerning the sale or distribution, use, and disposal of HFC substitutes; and (2) direct the Administrator to establish an advanced clean fuel performance standard.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2008

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2009 for: (1) science; (2) aeronautics; (3) exploration; (4) education; (5) space operations; (6) cross-agency support programs; and (7) the inspector general. Authorizes additional appropriations for use to accelerate the initial operational capability of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle. Requires: (1) a process for transitioning NASA experimental earth science and space weather research into operational services; and (2) a plan for the continuation of Landsat thermal infrared data collection or its equivalent. Reauthorizes the Glory Mission. Requires development of a plan for a Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR). Sets forth provisions concerning environmental aviation research initiatives. Requires a review of NASA's aviation safety-related research programs. Requires the establishment of an aviation weather research program. Requires the awarding of grants for the establishment of university-based Centers for Research on Aviation Training. Sets forth provisions concerning NASA's lunar exploration activities. Requires the establishment of an exploration technology development program that is not tied to specific flight projects. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) a common docking system standard to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts from disabled space vehicles; and (2) a cross-directorate technology development program. Requires the development of a plan to restart the production of radioisotope thermoelectric generator material for deep space and other science missions. Ensures that the International Space Station (ISS) remains capable for potential U.S. utilization through at least 2020. Requires specified Space Shuttle flights to be flown prior to the retirement of the Space Shuttle. Requires development of a strategy for providing commercial launch services in support of NASA's small and medium-sized science, space operations, and exploration missions. Provides for notifying federal agencies and relevant emergency response institutions of an impending near-Earth object threat. Sets forth requirements for the use of commercial crew transfer and crew rescue services. Requires: (1) a review of NASA's information security controls; (2) a report on intrusions of NASA's network resources; and (3) a review of NASA's laboratories. Requires a survey regarding astronaut health care. Increases the maximum award amount for an innovation prize. Sets forth provisions for specified earth science, aeronautics, international exploration, space science, and space operations activities, missions, initiatives, studies, and programs.

CLIMATE CHANGE IN COASTAL REGIONS

United States · United States Senate · 13 May 2008

NEGAWATTS: THE ROLE OF EFFICIENCY POLICIES IN CLIMATE LEGISLATION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 8 May 2008

IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF U.S. CLIMATE MODELING FOR DECISION-MAKERS AND END-USERS

United States · United States Senate · 8 May 2008

Climate Change Drinking Water Adaptation Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2008

Climate Change Drinking Water Adaptation Research Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist suppliers of drinking water in adapting to the effects of climate change. Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality and quantity impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) infrastructure impacts and solutions; (4) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (5) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (6) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions; (7) utilities management, decision support systems, and water management models; (8) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy demand management; (9) water conservation and demand management; and (10) communications, education, and public acceptance.

GREEN Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008

Getting Youth Re-invested in Environmental Education Now Act, or the GREEN Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to states and local educational agencies for the development of environmental justice curricula and co-op programs for middle and high school students at schools: (1) receiving school improvement funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (2) located in urban communities that may be disproportionately affected by climate change, pollution, and other environmental issues. Requires co-op programs to: (1) link students with career opportunities in the environmental field; (2) allow students to earn course or service learning credits during the summer through experiential learning; and (3) provide students with mentors to assist them in building the skills necessary for workforce success.

Environment and Public Health Restoration Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2008

Environment and Public Health Restoration Act of 2008 - States that it is U.S. government policy to work with states, territories, tribal governments, international organizations, and foreign governments to act as a steward of the environment for the benefit of public health, to maintain air quality and water quality, to sustain the diversity of plant and animal species, to combat global climate change, and to protect the environment for future generations. Requires the President to enter into an arrangement under which the National Academy of Sciences will: (1) study and report to the public, Congress, and implementing agencies on the impact on public health, air quality, water quality, wildlife, and the environment of specified clean water, clean air, and forest and land management regulations, laws, proposed laws, and guidance documents; and (2) make recommendations to maintain, restore, or improve protections for public health, air quality, water quality, wildlife, or the environment for each of such regulations, laws, proposed laws, or documents. Requires the head of each federal agency that issued or implemented such laws or regulations to submit to Congress a plan describing steps to restore or improve such protections.

INTERNATIONAL DEFORESTATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

United States · United States Senate · 22 April 2008

Combating Climate Change Through Individual Action Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008

Combating Climate Change Through Individual Action Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) 30% of carbon sequestration and soil conservation expenditures made by taxpayers engaged in the business of farming; (2) 10% of qualifying planting expenditures, including expenditures for the purchase and planting of any tree, plant, shrub, or bush, and the purchase and installation of a vegetated roof system; (3) the conversion of cropland to pasture for grazing purposes or to grassland or rangeland; and (4) certain types of reforestation and afforestation of land.

CLIMATE CHANGE: A CHALLENGE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

United States · United States Senate · 10 April 2008

To provide for a study by the National Academy of Sciences of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water quality.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2008

Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to prepare a two-part study of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water quality, addressing issues of: (1) hydrology and water quality (including the potential for impacts to wetlands, shoreline erosion, and saltwater intrusion as a result of sea level rise, as well as significant regional variation in precipitation events from historic patterns); and (2) policy considerations (including an identification of the scientific consensus, assumptions, and uncertainties related to predictions of climate change in the United States and of steps to assess emerging information and identify appropriate response actions).