Activities and joint white paper on Global climate Change in the Americas
North America and the United States currently have a Carbon Cycle, Climate Change Program respectively (North American Carbon, Climate Programs). These programs cover from the basics of the carbon cycle, to quantification of sources and sinks, social, economic, and political issues, as well as potential actions that are deemed palatable by public and private stakeholders to mitigate and adapt to climate change. While some aspects of the programs are relevant to the Americas, in general, in general they are not simply because of the number of countries, climates, cultures, regions and resources involved other than just Canada, the USA and Mexico (35 states total plus 16 dependencies).
This Pan-American Advanced Studies Institute will address the above problem through a series of lectures by experts in their field, as well as group discussions and smaller working groups that will report back to the larger group on focus areas they are tasked with. Initially, the problem will be approached using 5 groups (6 participants per group) making up a matrix with which to approach the task at hand. The final product that the group as a whole is expected to produce is a white paper on Global Climate Change in the Americas: Synthesis, Integration and Assessment (suggested title, but more important, descriptive of the overarching desired content). A daily schedule of events (lectures, large group and small group meetings) has been provided, major groups that will form the matrix with which to approach the diversity of the task at hand and a list of suggested factors and issues that should be covered by the matrices/groups. The larger group may choose to add or subtract from the list. The composition, topics and task of the breakout groups may change throughout the duration of the institute depending on the needs of the larger group to accomplish their ultimate goal. It is desired that the white paper will fulfill the need of a road map to developing a climate change program in the Americas along the lines of the chapters/steps given below. Specifically, a new initiative should be outlined and or recommended. While this initiative should focus on research, it should be such that it addresses the unique needs of the Americas and those who live and work within the larger area.
To the degree possible, published results from global (or continental) models will be provided to determine predicted changes in precipitation, temperature (mean, maximum, and minimum), water stress, wind and sea level rise and remote sensing products. On-line libraries and access to journal articles will be provided at the Institute. In addition, each group will be assigned a mentor - from the pool of guest lecturers - to aid in the planning and development of the discussions and white papers.
It will be important the participants periodically check this web site for updates on web resources available for use throughout the institute.
Whitepaper roadmap
- Elements or major groups of the conceptual matrices of the workshop
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- Countries
- Climate
- Culture
- Regions
- Resources
- Some of the factors and issues to consider within groups
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- Corporate Interests
- Small businesses
- Communities
- Subsidies
- Investments
- Taxation
- Education
- Interdisciplinary approaches
- Likely scenarios
- International collaboration
- Economics
- Management
- Communication
- Data & models
- Public sector
- Stakeholders
- Policy
- Funding
- Level of uncertainty
- Ecosystem services
- Sustainability
- International trade
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Water
- Biodiversity
- Natural disasters
- Population growth and demography
- Potential chapters or steps to be included and or addressed in white paper on a Climate Change program for the Americas
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- Impacts
- Vision
- Initiatives
- Research
- Synthesis
- Integration
- Assessment
North American Carbon/Climate Programs
Currently, there is a North American Carbon Program
In addition, there is a US Climate Change Science program.