Updated July 3, 2013
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, "determined to protect the climate system for present and future generations," acknowledged that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by greenhouse gases and human activity. Climate Change Research Links highlights resources about effects of climate change on international issues, and includes news, databases, statistics, conventions, and treaties.
News updates on climate change, the environment, environmental science, and government initiatives.
One-stop shops for background information, analysis, data, and scientific research.
Conference discussions and key publications; database for adaptation planning.
In addition to background, data, models, glossary, related sites for atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and global effects of climate change.
Commentary from scientific community
Defines climate, climate systems, models and past climates, how one researches, interprets, and predicts in climate science, causes of climate change, international collaborations
Scientific research and data on public opinion on climate change, climate change models, and simulations, environmental trends, and the future outlook. More data in individual topic areas in final sections.
Timeline from 1987-2011 chronicling increase in climate change related research in different disciplines. Data from Thomson Reuters Web of Science.
Data and projections
Climate models, observations, environmental data and scenarios, assessment reports.
Atmospheric, ocean, paleoclimate, land surface, and agriculture indicators.
Create and customize graphs, data sets on global/regional levels
On map select geographic area, then data tables
1993-2011; average temperatures and percipitation
Climate Analysis Indicators Tool is down after a cyberattack; other data publications on forests, fresh water and oceans, mining, and carbon dioxide.
Founded by a 1990 act, thirteen government agencies from cross-cutting disciplines study, educate, and plan for effects of climate change, make accessible the science and data, and coordinate internationally. Links to related federal efforts.
Resources to locate and track international meetings, agreements, and standards on climate change and the environment, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
"Established in 2007, the goal...is to help identify and advance scientifically sound, economically rational, and politically pragmatic public policy options for addressing global climate change"
SEARCH Object: Treaty; possible Attributes: Environment, Pollution
At the UN Human Rights Council in 2008, the United States submitted observations on the relationship between climate change and human rights.
Data, map, forecast libraries: "science-based approach to enhance society's capability to understand, anticipate and manage the impacts of climate in order to improve human welfare and the environment, especially in developing countries"
U.S.-specific effects of climate change on agriculture, human health, energy.
January 2013 on global biodiversity; Spring 2012 on the green economy
"Focuses on human interactions in the environment...to serve as an "Information Gateway" between the Earth and social sciences."
Addressing mitigation and adaptation
"How the Convention on Biological Diversity promotes nature and human well-being"
(2013) "a framework for...key concepts linking demography and adaptation, data foundations and techniques for analyzing climate vulnerability"
"Assessed the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being."
2009 edition: "twenty-six case studies from selected natural and cultural World Heritage sites in order to illustrate the impacts of climate change that have already been observed, and those that can be expected in the future."
Includes atlas connecting human health and climate change, technical information, fact sheets, and statistics.
(1984-2013)
Includes both economic costs of not addressing climate change and organizations that track the green economy.
Analyzes "the potential costs and benefits of mitigating climate change," such as how the economy will perform in the absence of policies, or the effects of emissions trading.
Historical data from 1965; reserves of natural gas, coal, oil; reserves to production volume; and status of hydroelectricity, nuclear energy, and renewables.
"Tracking, forecasting, and market sizing the global solar, wind, and biofuels markets....analysis of solar PV pricing, the public markets, and venture capital investments."
Investment research on clean energy markets; 2009 assessment of country policies and associated risk: http://www.dbcca.com/dbcca/EN/investment-research/investment_research_1780.jsp
Research initiative at Tufts University to "counter the argument that doing anything about climate change is prohibitively expensive."
See also their International Index of Energy Security Risk.
"Social and economic data that policy makers can use to better manage the coasts and oceans."
Defines: "a green economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities."
Think tank that "explores and highlights the security risks of climate change, at the sub-national, national, regional, and international levels, and offers solutions for mitigating and adapting."
2007 landmark report by military leaders "that articulates the concept of climate change acting as a “threat multiplier” for instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world and identifies key challenges that must be planned for now if they a
Program began in 2009 to focus on consumption (energy, minerals, land, water) and on consequences (biodiversity, climate change)
"Assessment of environment and security risks, capacity building and institutional development to strengthen environmental cooperation as well as integration of environmental and security concerns and priorities in international and national policy-making
""Knowledge and action network" set up to increase political attention to environmental security as a means to help prevent conflict, instability and unrest."
"Natural resources and other environmental factors are linked to violent conflict in a variety of ways often obscured by more visible issues, such as ethnic tension and power politics."
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The Future of U.S. Special Operations Forces
Special operations play a critical role in how the United States confronts irregular threats, but to have long-term strategic impact, the author argues, numerous shortfalls must be addressed.
Reforming U.S. Drone Strike Policies
The author analyzes the potentially serious consequences, both at home and abroad, of a lightly overseen drone program and makes recommendations for improving its governance.
The biggest threat to America's security and prosperity comes not from abroad but from within, writes CFR President Richard N. Haass in his provocative new book. More
October 31 Application Deadline:
International Affairs Fellowship (IAF)
IAF in Japan
December 16 Application Deadline:
Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship
January 17 Application Deadline:
IAF in Nuclear Security
March 1 Application Deadline:
Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship
For application instructions and more information, visit www.cfr.org/fellowships.
The Clash of Civilizations? The Debate: Twentieth Anniversary Edition
This volume brings together a broad range of Foreign Affairs content to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Samuel Huntington’s classic article “The Clash of Civilizations?” More
Defending an Open, Global, Secure, and Resilient Internet
This Independent Task Force report finds that as more people and services become interconnected and dependent on the Internet, societies are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
U.S.-Turkey Relations
This Independent Task Force asserts that Turkey is an increasingly influential regional and economic power and calls for the United States and Turkey to forge a new partnership.
Pathways to Freedom
An authoritative and accessible look at what countries must do to build durable and prosperous democracies—and what the United States and others can do to help. More
The Power Surge
A groundbreaking analysis of what the changes in American energy mean for the economy, national security, and the environment. More
Two Nations Indivisible
Through an in-depth analysis of modern Mexico, Shannon O'Neil provides a roadmap for the United States' greatest overlooked foreign policy challenge of our time—relations with its southern neighbor. More
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