Forest Service Responding to Climate Change PPT

The Forest Service Mission Sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Climate Change Fire: the season is coming earlier and ending later Insects: winter cold isn’t knocking some populations back. Epidemics are larger and last longer, killing more trees and increasing fire risk. Water: snowpacks are thinner and they melt earlier in spring—increasing drought

If warming continues as anticipated over the next 30 years… The number and severity of large wildfires are likely to increase The range and frequency of large insect outbreaks are likely to increase Hurricanes are likely to increase. Storm damage can reduce forest productivity and carbon storage.

So What is the Forest Service Doing About Climate Change? For over 20 years the Forest Service has been studying the affects of climate change on our forests and grasslands 13 Forest Service scientists contributed science research in the IPCC Nobel Prize for their work on climate change We have developed the “Strategic Framework for Responding to Climate Change”

What is the Strategic Framework for Responding to Climate Change? The Framework is the agency’s roadmap for dealing with changing environmental, social, and economic conditions It is an overarching structure for strategies, priorities, policy decisions, resource allocations It is science-based approach to climate change education and alliance focused

The Framework Has Seven Goals: 1) Science - Advance our understanding. 2) Adaptation – Enhance capacity of forests and grasslands to adapt. 3) Mitigation – Promote management of forests and grasslands to reduce greenhouse gases. 4) Policy – Integrate climate change into policies, program guidance, and communications. 5) Sustainable Operations – Reduce the environmental footprint of the Forest Service. 6) Education – Increase environmental literacy. 7) Alliances – Establish and enhance strong partnerships.

How will the agency implement the Strategic Framework? Seven implementation teams are working on the first phase of action The teams coordinate through a management coordination team Users and experts throughout the Forest Service will provide advice, review and feedback to teams

First Set of Actions Build knowledge, skills, and expertise Develop experience, and partnerships. Support the mission of the Forest Service

The Agency will also be thinking ahead to: Identify actions for the next phase of implementation of the Strategic Framework for Responding to Climate Change.