ACS issues statement on Fourth National Climate Assessment report

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 2017 — The American Chemical Society (ACS) issued the following statement today on the Fourth National Climate Assessment report released on Friday, Nov. 3.

The Fourth National Climate Assessment report contains dire warnings about the fragile state of the Earth’s climate and should serve as a further confirmation for U.S. policymakers that action is urgently needed to address and mitigate the already apparent and visible impacts of a changing climate in the U.S. and around the world.

New research and observations used for this report indicate that it is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century. The report notes that the last few years have seen record-breaking, climate-related weather extremes, the three warmest years on record for the globe, and the continued decline in Arctic sea ice. Extreme weather events have caused horrific damage, and more than $1.1 trillion has been spent to address those impacts in the U.S, the report states.

The U.S. needs a serious, comprehensive approach to address the impacts of climate change to protect human life, our nation’s infrastructure and environmental resources. Failure to take appropriate steps will further the loss of life and property and will undermine the U.S. economy. ACS stands ready to work cooperatively with U.S. policymakers to address climate change impacts, and once again calls attention to its climate change policy and its climate science toolkit as resources that can help guide action and discussion.

The American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.