America's Climate Choices
2011

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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.

Additional materials

Press Release
Climate Change: Evidence, Impacts, and Choices
Presentation: Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change
Presentation: Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change
Presentation: Limiting the Magnitude of Future Climate Change
Presentation: Advancing the Science of Climate Change
View the Americas Climate Choices Complete Set
View the Americas Climate Choices Four-Volume Set

Publication information

134 pages · 7 x 10 · paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-14585-6
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-14586-4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/12781

Suggested citation

National Research Council. 2011. America's Climate Choices. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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Front Matter i-xvi
Summary 1-6
1 The Context for America's Climate Choices 7-14
2 Causes and Consequences of Climate Change 15-28
3 The Unique Challenges of Climate Change 29-38
4 A Framework for Making America's Climate Choices 39-50
5 Key Elements of America's Climate Choices 51-80
Notes and References 81-92
Appendix A: America's Climate Choices: Membership Lists 93-96
Appendix B: Committee on America's Climate Choices Member Biographical Sketches 97-108
Appendix C: Additional Information Regarding the Content of the ACC Panel Reports 109-112
Appendix D: Agenda from the Summit on America's Climate Choices 113-116
Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms 117-118

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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

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

America's Climate Choices (2011)

Chapter: Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms

Additional materials

Publication information

Suggested citation

My Academies

America's Climate Choices (2011)

Chapter: Appendix E: Acronyms and Initialisms