American Meteorological Society Policy Program

Vision

To become leaders in helping scientists and policymakers effectively work together to address policy issues related to Earth system science and services

Mission

We will strengthen the connection between public policy and Earth system science and services by building policy research and by creating opportunities for policymakers and scientists to engage and exchange perspectives to foster better-informed policy decisions

Goals

The AMS Policy Program (APP) focuses on 5 strategic goals:

• Prepare scientists to contribute effectively to the policy process

• Keep policymakers abreast of scientific advances and their relevance

• Foster meaningful collaborations between scientists and policymakers

• Develop the needed policy research

• Share our vision and results

Purpose and scope

The APP strives to address the following national priorities: public health and safety, economic growth, the protection of the environment, and national security. The APP will study both immediate and longer-term policy issues relating to Earth system science and services. Our core value is to be objective in examining sound science and policy options. We will bring together a diverse group of perspectives and create real partnerships across sectors and disciplines. Almost all of the issues to be studied will involve disciplines such as economics, engineering, and social science, leading to research that will be inherently interdisciplinary. The issues will be scientific, institutional, budgetary, economic or social in character. Moreover, they will be of regional, national, and international interest.

Given the array of policy issues in areas of weather, climate, water, and near-space policy, etc. that face the nation, a broad range of studies is needed. Data access in the context of full and open national and international data exchange; intellectual property conflicts; public-private sector roles in the provision of services; air quality regulations and incentives; the response to future climate variations and change – all of these pose policy issues with important national and global consequences.

The APP is unique among policy institutions. We are part of a scientific and professional organization that has a true policy program in that we analyze and educate rather than advocate. It is vital that the APP be widely seen as being objective in its research and educational activities. For that reason, it is important that the APP not engage in any direct advocacy efforts. However, APP reports prepared through scholarly studies could be used by interested parties to advocate certain governmental actions and implementation of specific policies.

Inclusiveness

Policy issues within the Earth system science and services touch upon virtually every sector of the economy and upon daily life in this country. The APP will develop affiliations or working arrangements with experts in a variety of backgrounds, including economists, sociologists, political scientists, geographers, hydrologists, agriculturists, transportation specialists, public health specialists, public administrators, etc. Specifically, it is intended that the APP will forge partnerships or affiliations with the public, private, and academic sectors. As the AMS represents all three sectors, the APP will ensure that interests from these areas are represented in the research and educational activities of the Program.

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