National Climate Assessment Contributions
Tidings | Mar 8, 2024
In late 2023, four scientists from Maine played significant roles in shaping The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5).
In November, the United States Global Change Research Program published the nation’s topmost report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses: The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). The report is a trusted source of policy-neutral, science-backed insights that aid decision- making across the U.S.
Four scientists from Maine played significant roles in shaping this pivotal work. GMRI researchers Dr. David Reidmiller, Dr. Hannah Baranes, Dr. Kathy Mills, and University of Maine professor Dr. Lisa Kerr (located at GMRI) provided their expertise to this report as authors and reviewers of several chapters. This is the second consecutive NCA to feature GMRI scientists as chapter authors and contributors.
Mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990 and produced approximately every 4 years, the NCA is a consensus-based evaluation and synthesis of scientific knowledge; it is policy-relevant and policy-neutral. In other words, the assessment is widely used for decision-making but does not include policy recommendations nor advocate for any specific policy.
The assessment includes 32 chapters on physical science, national-level sectors (e.g., water, energy, agriculture, ecosystems, transportation, health, infrastructure, etc.), regional impacts (ten regions of the U.S.), and responses (mitigation and adaptation).
"It was an honor and a privilege to contribute to NCA5. The things we’re learning here in a rapidly warming Gulf of Maine are relevant to the entire nation.”
Kathy Mills, Ph.D. Senior Scientist
