Federal Programs & Labs

US Climate Change Science Program (Interagency)

The coordinating point for all federal agencies working on climate science, the CCSP reports to the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Science and Technology Policy via NOAA and the Commerce Department.

NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies

One of the largest, oldest, and best-respected federal labs working on climate, GISS is headed by Dr. James Hansen. It is in New York City.

NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

Another pioneering climate lab that specializes in computer modeling of climate. No longer headed by the now-retired Dr. Jerry D. Mahlman, it is keeping a lower public profile these days. It is near Princeton University.

NOAA National Climatic Data Center

This is the repository ("world's largest") of much of the raw data about the U.S. and planetary temperature record and other climate data. It is in Asheville, North Carolina. Director: Tom Karl. Press Contact: Jana Goldman (NOAA HQ Public Affairs).

NOAA Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory

This research component of NOAA conducts all kinds of basic monitoring programs to compile long-term series of measurements and observations of the conditions that may be involved in climate change. The CMDL has now been merged into the Global Monitoring Division of the Earth System Research Laboratory.

DOE Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center

An arm of the Energy Dept.'s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, the CDIAC focuses on research and data collection about carbon dioxide and the Earth's carbon cycle. It also tracks other greenhouse gases through its World Data Center for Atmospheric Trace Gases.

US Forest Service Research and Development — Climate Change

USFS has an extensive ongoing R&D program regarding climate change. The program provides long term research, scientific knowledge, expertise, regional resources and tools that can be used to manage, restore, and conserve forests and rangelands.

US Global Change Research Information Office

The US is required by a 1990 law to maintain the GCRIO to disseminate scientific research and other information useful in preventing, mitigating, or adapting to the effects of global change. Unable to disband the office, the Bush administration has given it little funding support. Its online library of key studies and documents from past years is still valuable.