COLLINS LEADS SENATE EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Susan Collins is leading an effort in the Senate to increase federal funding for abrupt climate change and paleoclimate research. These studies, conducted by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), aim to improve the understanding of human-induced and natural processes that contribute to abrupt climate change. In the past, scientists have determined that global temperature swings of 20 degrees farenheit within a decade, accompanied dramatic environmental changes from well-watered to drought or from modest rains to catastrophic floods.

"A great deal more scientific research is necessary in order to understand the potential risks of abrupt climate change. It is so important that we understand past climate changes in order to develop models to predict future climate trends," said Senator Collins. "It is an enormous scientific challenge made even more imperative because of the recognition that the climate system is capable of dramatic and abrupt changes that greatly affect life on earth and the world's food supplies."

Senator Collins and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) are asking their colleagues to join in writing a letter to Senate leaders who oversee funding for NOAA asking that they support full funding next year for abrupt climate change and paleoclimate research, at last year's funding level or greater. This request represents at least a $9.2 million increase in funding for the project, more than the amount requested in the President's proposed budget.

"Unfortunately, we have no satisfactory understanding of what triggers abrupt climate changes, nor do we know why they grow to such great amplitude," wrote the Senators. "Given the large uncertainties surrounding abrupt climate change, it is extremely important that we provide the funds necessary to maintain NOAA's long-standing paleoclimate and abrupt climate change research programs."

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