U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced the intent to create a [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] Climate Service line office dedicated to bringing together the agency’s strong climate science and service delivery capabilities.Apparently there is a big demand from the American public for "relevant and timely information" about global warming "to inform decision-making about virtually all aspects of their lives"--such a big demand, we need a new government agency to manage it.
“By providing critical planning information that our businesses and our communities need, NOAA Climate Service will help tackle head-on the challenges of mitigating and adapting to climate change,” said Secretary Locke. “In the process, we'll discover new technologies, build new businesses and create new jobs.”The best part of the announcement: “NOAA is committed to scientific integrity and transparency; we seek to advance science and strengthen product development and delivery through user engagement.” (emphases mine)
NOAA is also unveiling a new website today, www.climate.gov, which coincidentally highlights "short-term cooling on a warming planet" following this weekend's record-breaking blizzards.