The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. The first report, produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coordination with other agencies, focuses on understanding reported differences between independently produced data sets of temperature trends for the surface through the lower stratosphere and comparing these data sets to model simulations. To ensure credibility and quality, NOAA asked the National Research Council to conduct an independent review of the report. The committee concluded that the report Temperature Trends in the Lower Atmosphere: Understanding and Reconciling Differences is a good first draft that covers an appropriate range of issues, but that it could be strengthened in a number of ways.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Introduction
Major Review Comments
Review of the Executive Summary
Review of Chapter 1
Review of Chapter 2
Review of Chapter 3
Review of Chapter 4
Review of Chapter 5
Review of Chapter 6
References
Appendix A: Prospectus for the Synthesis and Assessment Product
Appendix B: Committee to Review the U.S. Climate Change Science Program’s Synthesis and Assessment Product on Temperature Trends in the Lower Atmosphere Statement of Task
Appendix C: Committee and Staff Biographies