White House Opens Comment Period on 5th National Climate Assessment

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) recently announced release of the draft Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) for public comment. The fifth quadrennial assessment from the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is designed to interpret the findings of U.S. climate research efforts, examine the effects of global change on society and the environment broadly, and analyze current trends in global climate change. Consistent with the common practice for USGCRP assessment products, the NCA5 will be a technical scientific assessment, and will not make policy recommendations or evaluate existing or proposed policies. The NCA5 public comment period will run through January 27, 2023.

To review the draft report and submit comments, reviewers will need to register with the USGCRP Review and Comment system. Two public webinars will provide more context and background about the development of the report and demonstrate how to submit public comments. Users will be able to provide feedback on how the National Climate Assessment will evaluate climate impacts across a wide range of topics, including water, forests and ecosystems, coasts and oceans, agriculture and rural communities, the built environment, energy and transportation, health and air quality, and economic and social systems. The assessment covers the entire geography of the United States, including all 50 states, U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing data for a wide variety of public and private activities.

For additional information on the NCA5 public comment opportunity announcement, visit here.