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• All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy as a Path to Sustainable Economic Growth [May 2014]

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  From the report's Executive Summary: "The U.S. energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation. The United States is producing more oil and natural gas, is generating more electricity from renewables such as wind and solar, and is consuming less petroleum while holding electricity consumption constant. These developments have had substantial economic and energy security benefits, and they are helping to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector and thereby tackle the challenge posed by climate change. To build on this progress, to foster economic growth, and to protect the planet for future generations, the President has set out an aggressive All-of-the-Above strategy on energy. Some of the recent trends in the energy sector predate the Administration and stem from technological advances and risk-taking by American entrepreneurs and businesses, as well as from government-supported research and other public policies. [...] The All-of-the-Above energy strategy has three key elements: to support economic growth and job creation, to enhance energy security, and to deploy low-carbon energy technologies and lay the foundation for a clean energy future. This report lays out these three elements of the All-of-the-Above energy strategy, and takes stock of the progress that has been made to date and the work that remains to be done."

  United States. Executive Office of the President

  2014-05
• Arctic Issues: Better Direction and Management of Voluntary Recommendations Could Enhance U.S. Arctic Council Participation, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "Recent changes in the Arctic from a warming climate, such as decreased sea ice coverage making marine areas more accessible, have increased global attention to the region's economic opportunities. In 1996, the eight Arctic States--Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States--formed the Arctic Council to promote cooperation on various Arctic issues with input from indigenous groups. U.S. Arctic policy highlights the importance of the Council to pursue U.S. Arctic interests. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine matters related to U.S. Council participation. This report examines (1) the Council's organization and how it addresses environmental and economic development issues; (2) how key U.S. agencies participate in the Council and any challenges; and (3) agencies' actions to implement and manage voluntary Council recommendations and any challenges. GAO analyzed key documents; interviewed federal and other Arctic stakeholders; attended a Council meeting; and visited four Alaskan Arctic communities selected for their sizes and needs. [...] GAO recommends that State work with relevant agencies to develop a strategy identifying direction for agency Council participation and resource needs; develop a process to review and track progress on recommendations; and work with other Arctic States to develop guidelines for clear and prioritized recommendations. State agreed with GAO's recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2014-05
• Joint Vision Statement for the U.S.-Mongolia Security Relationship

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  "The United States and Mongolia have a common strategic interest in sustaining a stable international security environment and regional order based on peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic governance, political freedom, economic openness, and a universal respect for human rights. Mongolia serves as a stabilizing influence in Asia and is seeking to modernize its military in a transparent fashion. Mongolia welcomes and supports the role that the United States plays in securing peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Both nations see the 21st century as a time of opportunity for the Asia-Pacific region in economic growth, empowerment of people, and democratic advancement. At the same time, both nations see challenges in dealing with common threats in the form of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation, terrorism, climate change, transnational crime, pandemic disease, mass migration, and cyber-attacks. The United States commends Mongolia's efforts to expand its contributions to international security through its cooperative security partnership with the United States. The United States reaffirms its support for Mongolia's active promotion of friendly relations with its neighbors. Furthermore, the United States recognizes that Mongolia's transparent democracy, security policy, and market economy provide a positive model in the region. U.S.-Mongolia cooperation has furthered international stability, validating the basis of the bilateral relationship and justifying deeper defense cooperation."

  United States. Department of Defense

  2014-04-10
• Biometric Challenges for Future Deployments: A Study of the Impact of Geography, Climate, Culture, and Social Conditions on the Effective Collection of Biometrics

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  "This report consists of two parts, which summarize the conditions under which biometric collection may occur in future Army deployments. Factors affecting biometric collection include geography, climatic conditions, ethnic populations, and relationships with host countries. The attitudes of members of ethnic populations were considered to be a particularly challenging factor affecting biometric collection. In early work on this project a group of experts gathered for round-table discussions of the problem of biometric collection in diverse environments. [...] These discussions lead to several observations. First, the environmental context should be considered in the selection of an appropriate biometric modality. Part I of this report addresses technical considerations regarding the selection of modalities. Second, social and anthropological considerations cannot be generalized even in relatively small regions. [...] Third, technological change will affect biometric collection. [...] Overall recommendations for current and future biometric collection complete Part I. Part II is an examination of factors that lead to effective biometric collection. Interviews were conducted with many individuals involved in the operational use of biometrics, many of whom had collected biometrics in theater, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. A surprising finding was that culture is not likely to be a major factor in biometric collection. The analysis led to several recommendations regarding the use of biometrics and provides a list of questions the answers to which can significantly affect the nature of a biometrics collection effort and its ultimate success."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Information Systems Security Studies and Research

  Clark, Paul C.; Gregg, Heather S.; Irvine, Cynthia E.

  2011-04
• 20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy's Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply

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  "Energy prices, supply uncertainties, and environmental concerns are driving the United States to rethink its energy mix and develop diverse sources of clean, renewable energy. The nation is working toward generating more energy from domestic resources-energy that can be cost-effective, and replaced or 'renewed' without contributing to climate change or major adverse environmental impacts. In 2006, President Bush emphasized the nation's need for greater energy efficiency and a more diversified energy portfolio. This led to a collaborative effort to explore a modeled energy scenario in which wind provides 20% of U.S. electricity by 2030. Members of this 20% wind collaborative (see 20% Wind Scenario sidebar) produced this report to start the discussion about issues, costs, and potential outcomes associated with the 20% Wind Scenario. A 20% Wind Scenario in 2030, while ambitious could be feasible if the significant challenges identified in this report are overcome. This report was prepared by DOE in a joint effort with industry, government, and the Nation's national laboratories (primarily the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). The report considers some associated challenges, estimates the impacts and considers specific needs and outcomes in the areas of technology, manufacturing and employment, transmission and grid integration, markets, siting strategies, and potential environmental effects associated with a 20% Wind Scenario."

  United States. Department of Energy

  2008-05
• Military Implications of Global Warming

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  "The 1998 National Security Strategy repeatedly cites global environmental issues as key to the long-term security of the United States. Similarly, U.S. environmental issues also have important global implications. This paper analyzes current U.S. Policy as it pertains to global warming and climate change. It discusses related economic factors and environmental concerns. It assesses current White House policy as it relates to the U.S. military. It reviews the Department of Defense strategy for energy conservation and reduction of greenhouse gases. Finally, it offers recommendations and options for military involvement to reduce global warming. Global warming and other environmental issues are important to the U.S. military. As the United States leadership in environmental matters encourages global stability, the U.S. military will be able to focus more on readiness and on military training and operations."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Greene, Patrice E.

  1999-05-20
• Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Research Needs: Workshop Summary Report

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  "The wildland-urban interface (WUI) encompasses housing and other structures that are either co-located or abut wildland vegetation and forest. WUI communities are especially susceptible to destruction from wildland fires. Several causes of WUI fires include the upsurge of structures in the WUI, long-term drought, climate change, and build-up of wildland fuel. In the last 100 years, 6 of the top 10 fire loss incidents occurred in WUI areas (5 of the 6 occurred in California). In the United States, more than 45 million homes in 70000 communities are at risk of WUI fires--which have destroyed an average of 3000 structures annually over the last decade--and this risk is rapidly increasing. WUI fires can also generate huge response and recovery costs. For example, the 1991 Oakland and 2007 Witch Creek fires in California resulted in property losses of $2.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. Federal funding for suppression and wildland fuel treatment has also risen significantly. In the period from 1996 to 2000 to the period from 2001 to 2005, this funding increased from $1.3 billion annually to $3.1 billion annually. In addition, an average of 70 % more area was burned from 2000 to 2005 as compared to the 1990s. Recent increases in funding, area burned, and fire occurrences in WUI communities imply an intensification of the WUI fire dilemma and require a review of the approaches to mitigating the issue."

  National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)

  Johnsson, Erik L.; Bryner, Nelson P.; Pellegrino, Joan L.

  2013-05
• Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy

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  "Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey and New York on October 29, 2012. The results were tragic and devastating. The office towers of Lower Manhattan were left powerless and dark. Miles of rail lines were twisted and torn apart. Beach towns from New Jersey to Rhode Island were buried beneath mountains of debris. Millions of lives were upended. Most tragically, more than one hundred people lost their lives. […] In response to the crisis, and because of the scope of the impact and the need for the highest level of coordination for recovery, President Obama created the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force (the Task Force) in December of 2012, and designated the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Shaun Donovan, as Chair. The additional members were the heads of twenty-three executive department agencies and offices. […] Task Force members assigned staff with a wide range of talent, skills, and experience from their agencies to develop a viable Rebuilding Strategy. The Task Force organized many multi-disciplinary teams (e.g., engineers, financial analysts, grant managers, urban planners, data system specialists, etc.) to study the critical inter-relationships of complicated states, communities, and systems. These teams built on, and incorporated contributions from, existing Federal, State, and local efforts to develop the Rebuilding Strategy. The Rebuilding Strategy includes 69 recommendations, across several policy areas, that are designed to align funding with local rebuilding priorities, eliminate barriers to recovery while ensuring effectiveness and accountability, coordinate across levels of government, facilitate a region-wide approach to rebuilding, and promote resilient rebuilding so that the region will be better able to withstand the impacts of existing risks and future climate change."

  United States. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force.

  2013-08
• Follow-Up Report: EPA Improves Management of Its Radiation Monitoring System

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  "We performed this follow-up review to assess actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the recommendations in the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report No. 12-P-0417, 'Weaknesses in EPA's Management of the Radiation Network System Demand Attention', issued April 19, 2012. Our work focused on actions that the EPA said were completed as of January 10, 2014. Specifically, the EPA reported that it had completed seven of the eight OIG recommendations from our 2012 report. The EPA's nationwide radiation monitoring system (RadNet) is designed to measure ambient levels of radiation in the environment and large-scale atmospheric releases of radiation. The RadNet includes, among other things, a network of stationary air monitors that send near-real-time measurements of radiation to an EPA national laboratory. This report addresses the following EPA goal or cross-agency strategy: [1] 'Addressing climate change and improving air quality'."

  United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General

  2014-07-22
• Establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review: Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, January 9, 2014

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  "Affordable, clean, and secure energy and energy services are essential for improving U.S. economic productivity, enhancing our quality of life, protecting our environment, and ensuring our Nation's security. Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive and integrated energy strategy resulting from interagency dialogue and active engagement of external stakeholders. To help the Federal Government better meet this responsibility, I am directing the undertaking of a Quadrennial Energy Review. The initial focus for the Quadrennial Energy Review will be our Nation's infrastructure for transporting, transmitting, and delivering energy. Our current infrastructure is increasingly challenged by transformations in energy supply, markets, and patterns of end use; issues of aging and capacity; impacts of climate change; and cyber and physical threats. Any vulnerability in this infrastructure may be exacerbated by the increasing interdependencies of energy systems with water, telecommunications, transportation, and emergency response systems. The first Quadrennial Energy Review Report will serve as a roadmap to help address these challenges. The Department of Energy has a broad role in energy policy development and the largest role in implementing the Federal Government's energy research and development portfolio. Many other executive departments and agencies also play key roles in developing and implementing policies governing energy resources and consumption, as well as associated environmental impacts. In addition, non-Federal actors are crucial contributors to energy policies. Because most energy and related infrastructure is owned by private entities, investment by and engagement of the private sector is necessary to develop and implement effective policies."

  United States. Office of the Federal Register

  Obama, Barack

  2014-01-09
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General: Semiannual Report to Congress, April 1, 2011 - September 30, 2011

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  From the introductory statement of the Director, Arthur A. Elkins, Jr.: "During this semiannual period, I completed my first full year as the Inspector General of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This Semiannual Report to Congress contains the results of our work for the reporting period April 1, 2011, through September 30, 2011. While we conducted work in numerous areas, several themes were prominent. In addition to our mandatory work, we performed multiple reviews related to issues of concern to policy makers and the American people: climate change, the ongoing cleanup of the Gulf Coast oil spill, the spending of stimulus funds, and homeland security. I am pleased to announce that as part of our planning efforts, we have developed the framework for a new strategic plan for the Office of Inspector General. The framework includes a new vision and mission, as well as new values, goals, and objectives, which we will use to guide our organization as we strive to perform at the highest level possible."

  United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General

  2011-11
• Proclamation 8576: National Energy Awareness Month, 2010

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  "America's energy resources are inextricably linked to our continued prosperity, security, and environmental health. When it comes to our Nation's energy future, we face fundamental choices between action and inaction, between embracing the possibilities of a new clean energy economy and settling for the status quo, and between leading the world in clean energy and lagging behind. We must choose wisely and invest in clean energy technologies to position our country for a sustainable future, create new jobs, improve the health of our environment, and lay the foundation for our long-term economic security and prosperity. The time to act is now. Every year our overdependence on fossil fuels sends billions of dollars overseas to buy foreign oil instead of supporting American workers and farmers, rewarding innovation, and developing clean energy industries here at home. Fossil fuel pollution has already begun to change our climate, posing a grave and growing danger to our economy, our national security, and our environment. […] NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as National Energy Awareness Month. I call upon the citizens of the United States to recognize this month by making clean energy choices that will help build a stronger Nation, a more robust economy, and a healthier environment for our children."

  United States. Office of the Federal Register

  Obama, Barack

  2010-10-01
• Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs Have Limited Potential

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  "We did this review to evaluate the extent to which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) voluntary programs can significantly reduce future GHG emissions, and whether their data is complete and reliable. [...] Concerns about human-caused global warming and the potential impacts of GHG emissions were first raised in the 1960s. In 1992, the United States signed and Congress ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Treaty in Rio de Janeiro. The 'Rio' Treaty requires the United States to implement programs to reduce GHG emissions. The United States decided to achieve this goal through implementing voluntary programs."

  United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General

  Hart, Jeffrey S.; Harris, Jeffrey; Ferguson, Jill

  2008-07-23
• Crafting the Department of Defense Energy Strategy

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  From the thesis abstract: "The enormous use of energy by the Department of Defense (DoD) has a tremendous impact on the current and future security of our nation. This paper first examines the extent of DoD energy use. It identifies the vulnerabilities to U.S. national security stemming from an overreliance on foreign oil and a fragile commercial power grid. It looks at the costs of inefficient, fuel-intensive systems and operations in terms of dollars, opportunity, and lives. It addresses the security threats from global climate change aggravated by burning fossil fuels. It describes a set of end states that a smart energy strategy should hope to achieve. It lists the key objectives of an energy strategy and explores the ways to achieve these objectives. It looks at the legislation, executive orders, plans and actions taken thus far by the government and within DoD to attack these challenges. Finally, as the effects and vulnerabilities of the DoD's energy policies interact and overlap, this paper concludes with recommendations for the way ahead toward a coordinated, holistic, consistent, and comprehensive energy strategy."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Zablocki, Curtis

  2010-03-30
• Gasoline: The Achilles Heel of U.S. Energy Security

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  From the thesis abstract: "The United States must balance securing our energy future with protecting our environment from climate change. A holistic approach is required to solve this complex problem. We must reduce demand for petroleum, improve energy efficiency, and develop feasible alternative energy solutions to include emission capture technologies. The United States remains the largest consumer of energy products in the world and is the second leading producer of green house gas (GHG) emissions. Our dependence on imported petroleum is undermining our control of our national security interests. Petroleum comprises 63% of the United States' energy consumption, with the transportation sector accounting for 68% of the oil consumed. Energy flexibility or diversity, rather than energy independence, is the key to improving our national energy security."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Weaver, Robert W.

  2010-03-24
• U.S.-Russia Cooperation on the Environment [U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet]

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  "On May 23, 2012, the United States of America and the Russian Federation celebrated 40 years of cooperation under the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources. As we continue our engagement in traditional areas like wildlife conservation and protected area management, we are strengthening collaboration in others such as climate change, fisheries management, and in the polar regions."

  United States. Department of State

  2012-06-18
• Strengthening the Transatlantic Alliance: An Overview of the Obama Administration's Policies in Europe, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Europe of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, June 16, 2009

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  From the opening statement of Robert Wexler: "Today's hearing comes at a historic juncture for the United States and our European allies as we face a myriad of difficult issues, including a global economic crisis, accelerated global climate change, a resurgent Russia, instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran. Within Europe and on its borders, there are many challenges for American and European policymakers, including resolving frozen conflicts, rising nationalism and right-wing extremism, energy security, and significant backsliding by a number of nations in the area of political, judicial, and economic reforms." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Robert Wexler, Philip Gordon, Elton Gallegly, Michael E. McMahon, and Shelley Berkley.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Strategic Implications of China's Rise on U.S.-Japan Relations

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  From the thesis abstract: "China's accelerated rise to power, and the United States' recent economic challenges have given Japan and other Asia-Pacific allies reason to seek balancing alliances or to strengthen military defenses and power projection capabilities. Paralleling Japan's need to increase homeland defense is a need to strengthen and adjust the United States--Japan Security Agreement. In an effort to reduce the deficit, the United States is relocating and consolidating forward deployed forces within the Asia-Pacific region. Changes to this forward presence and increased tensions in the region have prompted Japan to pursue increased conventional capabilities. The traditional, long-standing threat of North Korea, maritime territorial disputes with China, and perception of U.S. inability to provide long-term security in the region have created a situation that is counter to U.S. national interests. The current global economic climate and China's military growth may necessitate a review of U.S. policy and defense strategy to support expansion in Japanese military capability to address 21st century regional threats."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Adkins, Joe H.

  2011-03-24
• Department of Homeland Security: Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan

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  "In Executive Order (EO) 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, President Obama made sustainability the policy of the United States Government. Sustainability means to create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in a productive harmony that permits fulfilling the social, economic and security requirements of the present and future generations. At DHS, the sustainable approach balances cost, schedule, operations, maintenance, safety and employee morale while creating and maintaining conditions that fulfill the economic, environmental and security needs of the American people. To comply with the EO the Department must adhere to sustainable principles and implement sustainable practices throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Secretary issued a Sustainability Policy Letter in February 2011 designed to transform DHS into the nation's leader in sustainable law enforcement operations. Ongoing Efficiency Review initiatives improve efficiency and streamlines decision-making through a series of projects ranging from eliminating non-mission critical travel to right-sizing vehicle fleets. Full implementation of the efficiency initiatives could save DHS hundreds of millions of dollars. The DHS Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan (Sustainability Plan) is aligned with the Department's Efficiency Review Initiative along with climate change adaptation efforts to improve current and future business practices to save resources."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2011-06
• Global Water Security

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  "This report--requested by the Department of State--is designed to answer the question: How will water problems (shortages, poor water quality, or floods) impact US national security interests over the next 30 years? We selected 2040 as the endpoint of our research to consider longer-term impacts from growing populations, climate change, and continued economic development. However, we sometimes cite specific time frames (e.g., 2030, 2025) when reporting is based on these dates. For the Key Judgments, we emphasize impacts that will occur within the next 10 years. We provide an introductory discussion of the global water picture, but we do not do a comprehensive analysis of the entire global water landscape. For the core classified analysis--a National Intelligence Estimate--we focused on a finite number of states that are strategically important to the United States and transboundary issues from a selected set of water basins (Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, Mekong, Jordan, Indus, Brahmaputra, and Amu Darya). We judge that these examples are sufficient to illustrate the intersections between water challenges and US national security."

  United States. Office of the Director of National Intelligence

  2012-02-02
• U.S. Army Approach to Security Force Assistance

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  "As the U.S. military looks ahead to the first half of the 21st century, several global trends--globalization, technology availability, population growth, urbanization, increased resource demands, climate change, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction--are shaping the international security environment. They place increasing stresses on governments to satisfy their citizens' legitimate expectations, including meeting their basic needs, receiving fair and impartial justice, and attaining increased prosperity and opportunities for themselves and their progeny. Governments unable to satisfy these aspirations risk losing their ability to govern. This loss creates opportunities for extremist groups to export terror and violence on behalf of radical ideologies. Ultimately, it becomes a setting for persistent conflict."

  U.S. Army Combined Arms Center

  Torrey, Bill; Redmond, Mike; Donnelly, Edward P.

  2010-11
• Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG): Resilience Program [website]

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  "The Association of Bay Area Governments [ABAG] is the regional planning agency for the nine counties and 101 cities and towns of the San Francisco Bay region. ABAG is committed to leading the region through advocacy, collaboration, and excellence in planning, research, housing, and member services to advance the quality of life in the San Francisco Bay Area. ABAG's planning and service programs work to address regional economic, social, and environmental challenges. Working in concert with the Planning Department of the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Resilience Program assists Bay Area local governments and residents in planning for earthquakes, the effects of climate change, and other hazards. ABAG's Resilience Program supports recovery and mitigation research, planning and action for a resilient Bay Area." ABAG's objectives are to "Work to develop a regional land use pattern which reduces the risk of natural hazards; Provide a platform for local governments to come together to jointly plan, share best practices and develop a shared understanding of regional needs for an effective recovery; Disseminate scientific information about natural hazards in an understandable and usable way that facilitates good policy and planning decisions; [and] Provide tools for local governments to develop and implement mitigation and recovery plans."

  Association of Bay Area Governments
• Air Emissions and Electricity Generation at U.S. Power Plants

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  "The United States depends on a variety of fuels to generate electricity, including fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), nuclear power, and renewable sources. Power plants that burn fossil fuels provide about 70 percent of U.S. electricity, but they also produce substantial amounts of harmful air emissions. In particular, electricity generating units at fossil fuel power plants are among the largest emitters of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which have been linked to respiratory illnesses and acid rain, as well as of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Of the three fossil fuels, coal is the most widely used fuel in the United States, providing about 45 percent of electricity in 2010, followed by natural gas, which provided about 24 percent. Coal plays a critical role in the reliability of the electricity grid, especially in certain geographic areas, but coal-fired units also generally emit more air pollution than units burning natural gas or oil. Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes national ambient air quality standards for six pollutants that states are primarily responsible for attaining. States attain these standards, in part, by regulating emissions of these pollutants from certain stationary sources, such as electricity generating units. Numerous Clean Air Act requirements apply to electricity generating units, including New Source Review (NSR), a permitting process established in 1977. Under NSR, owners of generating units must obtain a preconstruction permit that establishes emission limits and requires the use of certain pollution control technologies."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2012-04-18
• Interagency Ocean Science and Technology Priorities for FY 2011

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  "This memorandum summarizes the priorities for FY2011, developed by the JSOST [Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology], including near-term priorities and infrastructure priorities. These are designed to advance work in support of the six societal themes of Charting the Course for Ocean Science: 1) Stewardship of Natural and Cultural Ocean Resources, 2) Increasing Resilience to Natural Hazards, 3) Enabling Marine Operations, 4) The Ocean's Role in Climate, 5) Improving Ecosystem Health, and 6) Enhancing Human Health. Appendix A describes these six societal themes and accounts for changes within them since Charting the Course for Ocean Science was published in January 2007. It is the intent of the JSOST to regularly revisit the priorities and update them as necessary as measured against metrics for success and completion."

  United States. Office of Science and Technology Policy

  Holdren, John P.

  2009-09-25
• Memorandum of Agreement Between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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  "The purpose of this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is to formalize efforts to explore opportunities to incorporate sustainability and smart growth practices into communities' hazard mitigation planning and long term disaster recovery efforts, and to incorporate hazards resilience into smart growth assistance for communities. This MOA reflects the mutual desire of both parties to coordinate Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) networks of nationwide, regional and community-based expertise, practices, initiatives, and programs to help communities reduce vulnerability to natural hazard events, recover from disasters that do occur, and achieve economic, environmental, and public health outcomes as part of redevelopment and recovery efforts. In particular, this MOA contemplates coordination of activities between EPA's Smart Growth Program and FEMA's long term disaster recovery and hazard mitigation planning programs. Second, this MOA also seeks to provide lessons learned for EPA, FEMA and other federal agencies that can be used to build a stronger federal framework for both post-disaster planning and post-disaster recovery. Third, it seeks to provide a collaborative framework for policy work related to both hazard mitigation planning and climate change adaptation to create more resilient communities."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States. Environmental Protection Agency

  2010-05-12
• Forest Carbon Estimation Using the Forest Vegetation Simulator: Seven Things You Need to Know

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  "Interest in options for forest-related greenhouse gas mitigation is growing, and so is the need to assess the carbon implications of forest management actions. Generating estimates of key carbon pools can be time consuming and cumbersome, and exploring the carbon consequences of management alternatives is often a complicated task. In response to this, carbon reporting capability has been added to the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) growth and yield modeling system, allowing users to produce carbon reports along with traditional FVS outputs. All methods and computations are consistent with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Good Practice Guidance and U.S. voluntary carbon accounting rules and guidelines. We briefly describe the FVS system, outline the carbon pools estimated, and provide an overview of the data requirements, capabilities, features, and limitations of the model and the carbon reports. We also review common questions and pitfalls encountered by users when running the model."

  United States. Forest Service

  Hoover, Coeli M.; Rebain, Stephanie A.

  2011-02
• Toward an Ideal Security State for Northeast Asia 2025

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  "Northeast Asia is often considered to be a 'sub-region' of East Asia or the broader Asia-Pacific. In contrast to Europe, North America, or even Southeast Asia, it is characterized by the lack of regional institutions or infrastructure. Yet, Northeast Asia is home to the world's second and third largest economies, Japan and China, and home to two of the United States' most important allies in Asia, Japan and South Korea. It also is home to two of the most potentially dangerous unresolved conflicts across the demilitarized zone in Korea and across the Taiwan Straits. Four of the world's strongest powers, the United States, China, Japan and Russia, have direct interests and involvement in the region. In particular, the United States' commitment is demonstrated not just in the approximately 100,000 troops and the strong maritime presence that it maintains in the region, but also in the extensive commercial, diplomatic and civil society ties it has with nearly all countries in the region. With the dramatic economic growth of China and the growing leadership role that countries in the region play in a range of regional and global issues--such as climate change, trade liberalization, and anti-terrorism-- there is little question that the importance of Northeast Asia is on the rise. As such, the trajectory of the region, and the prospects for a continued peaceful environment in which the process of economic development and regional integration might continue, is of paramount importance to the United States, the countries of Northeast Asia, and ultimately the world. Recognizing these trends, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, with support from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) through the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and in collaboration with the Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC) of the National Academy of Sciences, organized a oneyear project designed to identify the 'ideal' state of peace and security in Northeast Asia in the year 2025 and further explore issues related to that ideal. The project commenced November 1, 2008 and involved two primary activities, a strategy session in Montana and an international workshop involving experts from throughout the region in Kanazawa, Japan." Note: This document has been added to the Homeland Security Digital Library in agreement with the Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering WMD (PASCC) as part of the PASCC collection. Permission to download and/or retrieve this resource has been obtained through PASCC.

  Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation

  Flake, L. Gordon, 1967-

  2010-04
• Remote Sensing and Mass Migration Policy Development

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  "Mass migration is a global problem affecting both displaced persons, their countries of origin, and the nations that voluntarily or involuntarily receive them. The 2010 U.S. National Security Strategy recognized the domestic and international perils that refugees and the underlying causes for their dislocation represent and acknowledged that future conflicts caused by scarce resources, environmental disasters, or refugees were possible. In his Congressional testimony regarding the 2010 Threat Assessment, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair expressed concern about the prospect of mass migration from Cuba or Haiti to the United States. He also warned that population movements caused by climate change could have a negative impact in India, China, Southeast Asia, and Europe within 20 years, resulting in broad national security consequences for the United States. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) stands as one of the first lines of defense against these potential catastrophes. It develops, acquires, and operates U.S. satellite systems that conduct space reconnaissance by collecting the imagery intelligence, signals intelligence, and measurement and signature intelligence required by its customers, including those in both Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DoD U.S. government agencies. It thus fulfills critical requirements necessary for the formulation of national strategy. Its national sensor systems provide the means to gather information beyond that required for military operations. The 2000 congressionally-chartered National Commission for the Review of the National Reconnaissance Office recommended the NRO 'focus on innovation' to preclude intelligence failures that 'have a direct influence on strategic choices facing the nation.' The NRO should therefore initiate procedures to identify and measure triggers for mass human migration and proactively participate in interagency forums developing policy pertaining to such events."

  Air University (U.S.). Air War College

  Dysart, Mary D.

  2011-02-16
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram 34-07 [August 30, 2007]

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  The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "Credible Threats or Hoaxes"; "Climatic Change Realities"; "Rail Safety Training Tour"; and "NIMS [National Incident Management System] Intrastate Mutual Aid Instruction".

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2007-08-30
• U.S.-China Joint Statement [November 17, 2009]

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  "At the invitation of President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China, President Barack Obama of the United States of America is paying a state visit to China from November 15-18, 2009. The Presidents held in-depth, productive and candid discussions on U.S.-China relations and other issues of mutual interest. They highlighted the substantial progress in U.S.-China relations over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and they reached agreement to advance U.S.-China relations in the new era. President Obama will have separate meetings with Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Premier Wen Jiabao. President Obama also spoke with and answered questions from Chinese youth." The joint statement included the following issues: the U.S.-China relationship, building and deepening bilateral strategic trust, economic cooperation and global recovery, regional and global challenges, climate change, and energy and environment.

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  2009-11-17