Organization:
Research Title: Regional Climate Change Impact Assessment
Funding Level (millions of dollars):
| FY94 | 0.3 |
|---|---|
| FY95 | 0.3 |
| FY96 | 0.0 |
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Component:
(a) Subcommittee: Global Change Research (100%)
(b) Environmental Issues: Other
(c) Research Activity: Assessment
Organizational Component:
Atmospheric Sciences
TVA Environmental Research Center
Muscle Shoals, Al 35660-1010
Point of Contact:
James F. Meagher
Phone: 205-386-2342
Research Goals:
Evaluate impacts of potential climate changes or variations in the next 40 or 50
years and
assess response options.
Research Description:
TVA is conducting assessments of how climate changes and variations may affect its
various programs and the resources of the TVA region. The reservoir system, power
system, natural resources, agriculture, silviculture, and economic development are
all
subject to this concern. Improvements in understanding the natural processes in the
TVA
region and the effects of human activities on them will also be gained from this
assessment
program. An integrating theme is to improve the capacity to assess the effects of
global
change at regional scales on intensively managed natural terrestrial ecosystems.
The
approach involves development of regional climate scenarios to assess, analysis of
regional-global climate pattern relationships, assessment of potential impacts in
each
program area and on an integrated basis, and strategic planning to develop options
or
contingency plant. Initial screening has been conducted and climate scenario impact
assessments have been started. Regional climatic data base is being expanded. Three
climate scenarios for the next 30-50 years and a "no change" climate have been defined.
Scenario methods of others and output from regional climate models initialized by
output
from global climate models will be evaluated to improve TVA regional scenarios.
Program Interfaces:
Evaluate impacts of potential climate changes or variations in the next 40 or 50
years and
assess response options.
Program Milestones:
None defined
Policy Payoffs:
Sensitivities to climate changes/variations will be identified and strategic planning
will be
initiated. Assessment methodologies and improved knowledge of terrestrial atmospheric
processes on this regional scale will provide information for improving resource
management, adaptation and mitigation strategies, and education of policymakers and
the
public in this country and other parts of the world. Regional-scale considerations
are a
critical part of the national and international concerns regarding the issue of global
change.