2008 AMS Summer Community Meeting The Intersection of Weather and Climate

1. 2008 AMS Summer Community MeetingThe Intersection of Weather and Climate Panel Discussion: Where Do We Go From Here? Corporate Perspectives Dr. Joel N. Myers Founder and President AccuWeather, Inc. myersj@accuweather.com

2. The National Weather andClimate Enterprise Commercial Weather Services User Community Government Weather Services Universities Source: George Frederick Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com

3. The Role of America’s Weather Industry • Translates, disseminates and adds value to NOAA/NWS forecasts and information • Originates and disseminates its own forecasts and information • Targeted products for specific end-users and groups (especially important because many decisions are made at the local level) • Impact • Interpretation • Communication • Customization • Understanding changing needs • Consultation • Many companies have AMS Certified Consulting Meteorologists Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com

4. The National Weather andClimate Enterprise • For more than 20 years, the sectors of the American Weather Enterprise have struggled to define their relationships and respective roles • Since the NSF Fair Weather report, the NWS and America’s Weather Industry have made dramatic progress together • The sectors have better understandings and are evolving better partnership approaches • Each sector has critical roles through which they add service and value (As we heard from Tim Spangler, America’s Weather Industry has revenue of $8B and adds value of $280 billion to U.S. economy) • Together, the three sectors give the U.S. a scope, diversity and value in weather services that is second to none Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com

5. The National Weather andClimate Enterprise • A new climate agency would need to continue this progress within the National Weather and Climate Enterprise that the NWS has already developed • NWS can leverage the full value of the entire National Weather and Climate Enterprise • We have come a long way in developing relationships that benefit from the strengths of each sector • NWS understands the unique value of each sector and how to work effectively with them Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com

6. Other Government Agencies • A new agency would also need to develop relationships with: • Other domestic governmental agencies (federal, state and local) • National and international weather and climate agencies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and U.S. Climate Change Science Program (USGCRP) Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com

7. Global Climate Change • The NWS has already made substantial progress in defining the roles, boundaries, missions and relationships with: • America’s Weather Industry • Universities and research organizations • Other domestic government agencies at all levels • International weather and climate organizations Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com

8. Rapid Ramp-Up is Critical • The longer we take to determine approaches, the more likely that the effects and mitigation costs will rise significantly (and that we will have reached a tipping point) • Climate Advisor to the new President position will need immediate access to information, support, and recommendations Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com

9. Why Not Create a New Agency? • A new agency outside of NOAA/NWS will be more expensive and less efficient • Will need to acquire personnel • Will need to create mission, management structure and processes • Will need to ramp up operations and develop relationships with existing sectors • Will face significant issues in defining and communicating its boundary with the NWS Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com

10. Why Use the NWS? • NOAA/NWS can leverage their existing expertise and relationships in the climate sphere • Follow the model that has evolved within the National Weather and Climate Enterprise with the University and Research Community and with America’s Weather Industry • Integrate and build upon current NWS participation within the IPCC, WMO, USCCSP • Utilize and build upon relationships with federal, state and local government agencies Dr. Joel N. Myers myersj@accuweather.com