WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Climate Services: Solutions from Commerce to Communities.

 

 

The Honorable Gary Locke, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

 

The Honorable John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President

 

 

“We continue to learn so much about our climate. Everyday, dedicated scientists and entrepreneurs explain new challenges and highlight new opportunities. It gives me tremendous hope. However, the reality is that unless that information reaches the people who are confronting climate change on the frontlines, it will have been for naught. It is time to take science out of the laboratories and bring it into our communities.”

“If America is to avoid the most damaging effects of climate change, we have to first understand it—and that is where the Department of Commerce is instrumental. The Department of Commerce is a leader in climate change research and monitoring, providing critical data and services to all levels of government and the private sector—and helping companies and communities understand and adapt to climate change.”

“The climate is changing with increasing potential for disrupting human well-being. We know the causes, and we know what we have to do to avoid the worst of the possible effects. Science, technology, and innovation are all going to be crucial in mastering the climate-change challenge. As Director of OSTP, I regard one of the primary challenges and one of the primary functions of OSTP to be providing the leadership and needed coordination of global change research to ensure that our decision makers, our businesses, our farmers, our health care workers, and all our citizens have the information they need to take actions to improve human well-being and environmental management as the climate changes.”

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