Policy Program
Water and the Coasts: Opportunity, Vulnerability, and Risk Management
Water is simultaneously a resource and a threat. It is centrally important to every aspect of socioeconomic wellbeing and water becomes a hazard when there is too much, too little, or if the quality is poor. The opportunities and challenges posed by water are especially acute at the coasts, which are both major resources and often highly vulnerable to extreme events. Coastal communities are also particularly sensitive to changes in land use, population distributions, and climate. This memo identifies seven ways to enhance coastal risk management.
Toward an Integrated Approach to Water
This study synthesizes the results from three previous AMS Policy Program studies on water.
Making Communities Stronger and More Secure
This study identifies opportunities for strengthening communities with respect to weather, water, and climate.
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.
A Reset for U.S. Natural Hazards Policy? Lessons from Harvey, Irma, and Maria
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria subjected the United States and its sovereign territory to an unexpected and unwelcome stress test. This AMS Policy Program study is based, in part, on a workshop that occurred on November 15-16, 2017 and included pre-event online discussion of key topics.
May 2018
- Water and the Coasts: Opportunity, Vulnerability, and Risk Management
- Toward an Integrated Approach to Water
- Making Communities Stronger and More Secure
- How Trustworthy Are Scientific Assessments of Climate Change?
- A Reset for U.S. Natural Hazards Policy? Lessons from Harvey, Irma, and Maria
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.
Stay Informed
Keep up on the latest policy developments and activities though our studies, Hill briefings, and engagement activities.
News and Announcements
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- Water and the Coasts: Opportunity, Vulnerability, and Risk Management
Water is simultaneously a resource and a threat. It is centrally important to every aspect of socioeconomic wellbeing and water becomes a hazard when there is too much, too little, or if the quality is poor. The opportunities and challenges posed by water are especially acute at the coasts, which are both major resources and often highly vulnerable to extreme events. Coastal communities are also particularly sensitive to changes in land use, population distributions, and climate. This memo identifies seven ways to enhance coastal risk management.
-
- Toward an Integrated Approach to Water
This study synthesizes the results from three previous AMS Policy Program studies on water.
-
- Making Communities Stronger and More Secure
This study identifies opportunities for strengthening communities with respect to weather, water, and climate.
- 1 October 2019
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- 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.
-
- A Reset for U.S. Natural Hazards Policy? Lessons from Harvey, Irma, and Maria
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria subjected the United States and its sovereign territory to an unexpected and unwelcome stress test. This AMS Policy Program study is based, in part, on a workshop that occurred on November 15-16, 2017 and included pre-event online discussion of key topics.
May 2018