Policy Program

About the Policy Program

The Policy Program promotes understanding and use of science and services relating to weather, water, and climate. Our goal is to help the nation, and the world, avoid risks and realize opportunities associated with the Earth system.

Learn the Ropes

Whether you're new to the policy process or looking to brush up we can help you figure out the landscape.

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Get Involved

If you're looking for opportunities to engage the policy process, we've got a few opportunities to help get you on your way.

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Stay Informed

Keep up on the latest policy developments and activities though our studies, Hill briefings, and engagement activities.

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News and Announcements

Toward an Integrated Approach to Water
Toward an Integrated Approach to Water

This study synthesizes the results from three previous AMS Policy Program studies on water.

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The Dangers and Consequences of Climate Change
The Dangers and Consequences of Climate Change

The consequences to people from climate change have four overarching characteristics: 1) the consequences are already occurring and will almost certainly get worse; 2) larger and faster climate changes have greater consequences; 3) very serious and catastrophic consequences are more likely than most realize; and 4) we could respond in ways that lessen the consequences and broadly benefit people by reducing the amount and speed of climate change, and/or by improving people's ability to deal with unavoidable impacts.

These four overarching characteristics of the consequences to people from climate change are well-established, unlikely to change with any additional information, and could inform decision-making on the issue.

Societal Benefits in Weather, Water, and Climate: Understanding, Communication, and Enhancement
Societal Benefits in Weather, Water, and Climate: Understanding, Communication, and Enhancement

Humanity is experiencing a period of rapid global change that is driven by technological, societal, and environmental disruption. Meeting the challenges and opportunities associated with global change will depend on understanding, communicating, and enhancing the societal benefits of Earth system observations, science, and services.

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Options to Reduce the Consequences of Climate Change
Options to Reduce the Consequences of Climate Change

Options to reduce the consequences of climate change generally fall into four broad categories: 1) mitigation—efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; 2) adaptation—increasing society’s capacity to cope with changes in climate; 3) geoengineering or Earth manipulation—additional, deliberate intervention in the Earth system that tries to counteract some of the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions; and 4) pursuit of additional knowledge—efforts to understand more about the climate system, our impact on it, the consequences, or the response options themselves.

New Minds for New Science: The Forecast for Work in the Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise
New Minds for New Science: The Forecast for Work in the Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise

Work helps define our lives and the society we live in. This AMS Policy Program study examines workforce influences and needs for the weather, water and climate enterprise.

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Making Communities Stronger and More Secure
Making Communities Stronger and More Secure

This study identifies opportunities for strengthening communities with respect to weather, water, and climate.

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1 October 2019
How Trustworthy Are Scientific Assessments of Climate Change?
How Trustworthy Are Scientific Assessments of Climate Change?

Scientific evidence relating to the climate system and the impact that people might be having on it spans dozens of fields of study and includes work from tens of thousands of individual scientists. The evidence comes from decades of intensive research and is based on observations, field and laboratory experiments, and model simulations. 

This memo considers best practices in the assessment process, compares best practices with recent high-profile climate assessments, and identifies overarching scientific conclusions. 

Climate Change in 7 Minutes
Climate Change in 7 Minutes

Video: Paul Higgins on the basics of climate change from his appearance on 24 Hours of Climate Reality.