1. Climate Services: Where Do We Go From Here? Mark Shafer Oklahoma Climatological Survey

2. Climate Services What do we mean by “Climate Services”? Data collection & analysis Research Providing context Tailoring information to meet user needs Two-way communication Helping people use climate information As vulnerability increases, especially through human choices, the need for information to reach decision-makers is magnified

3. Climate Services Who provides climate services? –National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) –American Association of State Climatologists (AASC) –Regional Climate Centers (RCCs) –National Weather Service (NWS) –Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) –University Extension –NOAA’s Regional and Integrated Sciences and Assessments program (RISA) –State conservation districts / farm service agencies

4. Climate Services Advantages: –multiple points-of-entry –multiple perspectives Disadvantages: –duplication of efforts –inconsistent information or products Sorting out this “mess” is made easier if we recognize the structure of Federalism

5. Federalism The framework that governs relationships between constituent governments Multiple arenas, shifting balance of power Each arena has an “area of competence”, but it does not function in isolation Resources and knowledge are shared among governments, both horizontally and vertically

6. Federalism Constitutional Basis: Defines national powers while sovereignty in other areas retained by the states Ambiguity: multiple arenas, multiple branches creates competition for power Supreme Court limits federal powers, but gives free reign on conditions attached to grants Political dynamic – negotiation & rules

7. Federalism Stage I: Small Government (1789-1930s) Testing the powers of the federal government National government had limited resources Climate Services: Signal Corps then National Weather Bureau collected data & published summaries Services focused on documenting climate

8. Federalism Stage II: The New Deal (1930s-1960s) New Deal was a watershed transition in the involvement of the national government in state activities Local offices of federal agencies were created Weather Bureau’s Climatological Services Division established state climatologist program Functions of providing services remained primarily a federal activity

9. Federalism Stage III: The Great Society (1960s-1970s) Programs funded nationally but administered by state and (especially) local governments Created new demands but resources limited Budget pressures in NOAA led to termination of state climatologist program, which subsequently spurred creation of AASC Transformed federally-dominant system into truly mixed federalism; spurred innovation

10. Federalism Stage IV: New Federalism (1980s-present) Two models: –Nixon: block grants with local discretion –Reagan: dual sovereignty Budget deficits putting new pressures on programs Climate Services: NCDC, AASC & RCCs primary providers, but recent NWS re-engagement “Sorting out” functions - collaboration

11. Partnerships Flexibility! –Individual user needs vary – there is no “best” structure All needs, however, rely upon a common set of knowledge about Earth’s climate –Common repository; “national library” Functional, rather than jurisdictional, perspective

12. Partnerships Core needs for infrastructure

13. Partnerships 1.Continue to improve the quality of archives

14. Partnerships Core needs for infrastructure 1.Continue to improve the quality of archives 2.Integrate diverse data sources

15. Partnerships Core needs for infrastructure 1.Continue to improve the quality of archives 2.Integrate diverse data sources 3.Facilitate access to information

16. Partnerships Core needs for infrastructure 1.Continue to improve the quality of archives 2.Integrate diverse data sources 3.Facilitate access to information 4.Enhance local capabilities to provide information

17. Partnerships Core needs for infrastructure 1.Continue to improve the quality of archives 2.Integrate diverse data sources 3.Facilitate access to information 4.Enhance local capabilities to provide information 5.Expand knowledge of climate and its interface with society

18. Partnerships Climate services today reflects the federalist structure – national, regional, state and local organizations What is lacking is coordination of activities Build upon core capabilities of each provider without drawing distinct boundaries Requires dialog and negotiation

19. Climate Services: Where Do We Go From Here?