Panel Discussion: Where Do We Go From Here? Corporate Perspectives 2008 AMS Summer Community Meeting The Intersection of Weather and Climate Dr. Joel N. Myers Founder and President AccuWeather, Inc.

2 Dr. Joel N. Myers Commercial Weather Services Universities Government Weather Services User Community Source: George Frederick The National Weather and Climate Enterprise

3 Dr. Joel N. Myers The Role of Americas Weather Industry Translates, disseminates and adds value to NOAA/NWS forecasts and information Originates and disseminates its own forecasts and information Targeted products for specific end-users and groups (especially important because many decisions are made at the local level) –Impact –Interpretation –Communication –Customization –Understanding changing needs –Consultation Many companies have AMS Certified Consulting Meteorologists

4 Dr. Joel N. Myers For more than 20 years, the sectors of the American Weather Enterprise have struggled to define their relationships and respective roles Since the NSF Fair Weather report, the NWS and Americas Weather Industry have made dramatic progress together The sectors have better understandings and are evolving better partnership approaches Each sector has critical roles through which they add service and value (As we heard from Tim Spangler, Americas Weather Industry has revenue of $8B and adds value of $280 billion to U.S. economy) Together, the three sectors give the U.S. a scope, diversity and value in weather services that is second to none The National Weather and Climate Enterprise

5 Dr. Joel N. Myers A new climate agency would need to continue this progress within the National Weather and Climate Enterprise that the NWS has already developed NWS can leverage the full value of the entire National Weather and Climate Enterprise –We have come a long way in developing relationships that benefit from the strengths of each sector –NWS understands the unique value of each sector and how to work effectively with them The National Weather and Climate Enterprise

6 Dr. Joel N. Myers Other Government Agencies A new agency would also need to develop relationships with: –Other domestic governmental agencies (federal, state and local) –National and international weather and climate agencies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and U.S. Climate Change Science Program (USGCRP)

7 Dr. Joel N. Myers Global Climate Change The NWS has already made substantial progress in defining the roles, boundaries, missions and relationships with: –Americas Weather Industry –Universities and research organizations –Other domestic government agencies at all levels –International weather and climate organizations

8 Dr. Joel N. Myers The longer we take to determine approaches, the more likely that the effects and mitigation costs will rise significantly (and that we will have reached a tipping point) Climate Advisor to the new President position will need immediate access to information, support, and recommendations Rapid Ramp-Up is Critical

9 Dr. Joel N. Myers Why Not Create a New Agency? A new agency outside of NOAA/NWS will be more expensive and less efficient –Will need to acquire personnel –Will need to create mission, management structure and processes –Will need to ramp up operations and develop relationships with existing sectors –Will face significant issues in defining and communicating its boundary with the NWS

10 Dr. Joel N. Myers Why Use the NWS? NOAA/NWS can leverage their existing expertise and relationships in the climate sphere –Follow the model that has evolved within the National Weather and Climate Enterprise with the University and Research Community and with Americas Weather Industry –Integrate and build upon current NWS participation within the IPCC, WMO, USCCSP –Utilize and build upon relationships with federal, state and local government agencies