ENVIRO-NEWS; USDA, DOE & NSF Agree to Joint Climate Change Prediction Research Program

USDA
Release No. 0141.10
Contact: Jennifer Martin (202) 720-8188

USDA, DOE & NSF Agree to Joint Climate Change Prediction Research
Program

WASHINGTON - March 22, 2010 - The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA)
and Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) today created
a joint research program that designates nearly $50 million to develop
climate system models that provide insights on climate variability and
impacts on ecosystems.

"Climate change and its impacts on the land, crops and animals raise
some of the most serious issues faced by producers and by society at
large," said Roger Beachy, director of USDA's National Institute of Food
and Agriculture. "It is important to understand its potential effect on
our world and how we can proactively mitigate its consequences. Accurate
and reliable scientific information is critical to sustain economically
viable agricultural operations."

USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), DOE and NSF
will release a request for proposals for the program in Fiscal Year
2010.

The program seeks proposals that couple climate models at different
spatial and temporal scales to erosion, geomorphic change, land use,
water management and food production.

In FY 2010, NSF will contribute approximately $30 million, DOE
approximately $9 million and USDA approximately $10 million. This joint
solicitation allows these partner agencies to combine resources and fund
the highest-impact projects that support their respective missions
without duplicating efforts.

USDA will support research to develop climate models that can be linked
to crop, forestry, aquaculture and livestock models to assess the
adequacy of potential outcomes of risk management strategies so that
development and yields can be projected reliably at different spatial
and temporal scales.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and
extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving
critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future.
More information is at: www.nifa.usda.gov.


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