[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27102-27103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12895]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 2540]
Preparation of Special Report on the Regional Impacts of Climate
Change
AGENCY: Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific
Affairs, State.
ACTION: Notice of the availability of draft report and request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) has prepared a Special Report on the Regional Impacts of
Climate Change. The IPCC Secretariat requires comments on this report
from
[[Page 27103]]
national governments so that the Secretariat can meet its obligations
to member governments of the IPCC. The U.S. Government is expected to
receive its copy of the draft assessment for formal government comment
on or about April 30, 1997. The U.S. Subcommittee on Global Change
Research (SGCR) is handling the gathering of comments to be considered
in the preparation of the formal comments by the United States
Government. Through this notice, the SGCR is announcing the
availability of the report and is requesting comments on the draft
report by May 27, 1997 from experts and interested groups and
individuals. These comments will be reviewed, combined, and
incorporated as appropriate, in the process of preparing the set of
official U.S. comments to the IPCC.
Supplementary Information:
Background
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was jointly
established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme and the
World Meteorological Organization to conduct periodic assessments of
the state of knowledge concerning global climate change. The IPCC has
formed working groups to study various aspects of climate change.
Working Group I addresses the state of the science concerning what is
happening and is projected to happen to the climate; Working Group II
addresses the state of the science concerning (i) vulnerability to and
impacts of climate change and (ii) adaptation and mitigation
strategies; and Working Group III addresses the state of science and
understanding concerning economics and cross-cutting issues associated
with climate change. Since finishing the Second Assessment Report in
late 1995, the IPCC has undertaken four Special Reports (covering the
regional impacts of climate change, emission scenarios, aviation and
the global atmosphere and technology transfer) and several technical
papers.
Report Outline
Foreword
Summary for Policymakers
1. Introduction
2. Africa
3. Arctic/Antarctic
4. Australasia
5. Europe
6. Latin America
7. Middle East/Arid Asia
8. North America
9. Small Island States
10. Temperate East Asia
11. Tropical Monsoon Asia
12. Synthesis (if deemed necessary)
Annexes:
A. Observed Changes in Regional Climate
B. Simulation of Regional Climate Change with Global Coupled Climate
Models and Regional Modeling Techniques
C. Simulated Changes in Vegetation Distribution
Public Input Process
The member countries of the IPCC have established a timetable that
includes a brief period for comments from governments so that the IPCC
Secretariat can meet its obligations for a timely completion of this
Special Report. The Subcommittee on Global Change Research is
responsible for coordinating preparation of the U.S. Government
response, and through this notice is seeking the views of experts and
interested groups and individuals to help in the formulation of its
response. Comments that are provided will be reviewed, integrated, and
used, as appropriate, in the preparation of the official U.S. comments.
An information sheet providing specific requests for formatting
submissions will be provided with each distribution of a chapter. In
this review process, the emphasis should be on providing detailed
recommendations for changes or modifications in specific chapters for
which the reviewer has established expertise or interest. To be most
useful, comments should be specific in suggesting wording changes to
the text of a particular paragraph or chapter and, where appropriate,
offer supporting information and peer-reviewed references supporting
the proposed changes. Comments on the overall tone and scientific
validity of the chapter and comments expressing agreement and
disagreement with specific major points in the Executive Summary of the
chapters are also solicited; however, comments without specific
suggestions for changes are of limited help in improving the chapters.
DATES: Comments should be received on or before May 27, 1997. The
deadline cannot be extended because the member countries of the IPCC
have established a strict timetable for the review process and the U.S.
Government requires time for development of its formal comments.
Distribution Process: Full copies of this report will be sent to
all SGCR agencies and will be available upon request to scientific
reviewers and to organizations and companies with the expectation that
review comments will be provided for use in developing the official
U.S. Government response. Copies of specific chapters will be sent to
nominated chapter coordinators and reviewers. The North America Chapter
will be available by regular mail, by facsimile, or as an e-mail
attachment in a format that will preserve line numbers; figures and
tables will be available for viewing over the Internet, linked to the
USGCRP Home Page: www.usgcrp.gov. Persons requesting mailed copies (by
express mail) may be requested to provide an account number to cover
expenses.
ADDRESSES: Copies of individual chapters can be requested by sending an
e-mail to USG.IPCC.Review.RegImp@usgcrp.gov, by sending a fax to the
USGCRP Office (202-358-4103) or by sending a letter to the USGCRP
Office (300 E St., SW., Code YS-1, Washington, DC 20546). Comments
should be submitted, preferably by e-mail, to the same e-mail address
(USG.IPCC.Review.RegImp@usgcrp.gov).
A list of chapters making up the report is included with this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melissa Taylor, Office of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, at
tel: 202-358-1299.
Dated: May 2, 1997.
Rafe Pomerance,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Development, Bureau of
Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-12895 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
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