U.S. Climate Action Report 2010 to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Fifth UNFCCC U.S. Climate Action Report (2010 CAR) presents the major actions the U.S. government is taking at the federal level, highlights examples of state and local actions, and outlines U.S. efforts to assist other countries’ efforts to address climate change. This review accounts for current and proposed activities up to 2010.
The 2010 CAR outlines the impacts of climate change on the U.S., provides information on climate-related financial resources and technology transfer, details U.S. research and systematic observation efforts, and describes U.S. climate education, training, and outreach initiatives. The report includes major federal actions and examples of state and local actions for adaptation. Sample adaptation activities by sector - for the water resources, ecosystems, public health, coasts, transportation, and energy sectors - are also provided.
Chapter 6 of the report details efforts to assess climate vulnerabilities and of the development of adaptation options. Included are the main findings of the Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States assessment. The major climate vulnerabilities discussed are: water scarcity, unreliable energy production and transmission, damage to transportation infrastructure, public health problems, damage to ecosystems, and harm to coasts and coastal communities.
International, federal, state, regional, and local examples of adaptation policies and programs are each briefly described. Several adaptation policies are included in a summary table of U.S. Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
The report also includes: an overview of national circumstances and their connection to GHG emissions; a summary of GHG emission trends from 1990 through 2007; near-term policies and measures to mitigate GHG emissions; projected emissions; financial resources and technology transfer; research and systematic observation; and education, training, and outreach.
The UNFCCC was signed and ratified by the United States in 1992; previous Climate Action Reports were submitted in 1994, 1997, 2002, and 2007.
Publication Date: June 2010
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- Progress report
