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Published online 19 February 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.108

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US considers a national climate service

Programme would merge climate-change data from multiple agencies.

Roberta Kwok

The US government may soon synthesize its climate data into a central user-friendly service rather than having it scattered across multiple agencies. The idea has been floating around the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for about 30 years, but it may be given a boost if Jane Lubchenco is confirmed, as expected, as agency head.

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  • Beeing responsible for above mentioned Germany's activity, I like to add few information: Germany's Climate Service Center CSC is intended to become the national platform for inquiries and information on climate change in Germany. It is part of the so-called "Climate Protection Strategy" of the Federal Government (Ministry for Education and Reseach) and will receive special funds of the ministry of about 20 mio euros for its first 5 years. It is an integral part of GKSS Research Centre (www.gkss.de, 800 people), a member of Germany´s largest research organisation, the Helmholtz Association. CSC has been officially founded on Jan 1, 2009, the first employees beeing on duty since last week. It will join the German Climate Computing Center (www.dkrz.de) in its newly erected building in central Hamburg in summer this year. CSC is intended to consist of appr. 20 people, covering a very broad experience, from natural sciences (meteorology e.g.) to social and economic expertise. Beeing such small it is clear that it has to rely on work and knowledge that is available elsewhere, so one of its main tasks is to establish a "CSC network" in Germany, where established institutions cooperate in answering climate change related questions. CSC shall act as a focal point and central platform in this context. Basically the idea behind CSC is to bridge the gap between providers and owners of climate related information and knowledge and those who are asking for them or needing them. CSC shall help to overcome communication deficits between the different stakeholders, as often science doesn't know the questions and society/politics/industry don't understand statements/answers given by science. So there will be also an active role of CSC in general and specific information on climate change and its consequences. Generally CSC will interpret results of climate change research for policymakers, industry, state officials by offering direct consulting. For further questions please contact Dr. Joachim Krohn / GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht / Climate Service Center / joachim.krohn@gkss.de / www.gkss.de

    • 20 Feb, 2009
    • Posted by: Joachim Krohn