Across the country most cities, regions, and states have recognized that they must begin to address the impacts of climate change. But the speed and seriousness of these climate impacts facing each region of the country remains deeply uncertain, complicating the ability of governments at all levels to respond to the challenge.

Robert Lempert, RAND senior scientist, will discuss how new planning approaches can enable cities, water utilities, transportation, and other agencies to more effectively incorporate successful responses to climate change into their activities and plans. These approaches can help increase policy makers' confidence in their ability to address climate change as well as their willingness to recognize its potential consequences.

Lempert, who has a Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University, leads RAND projects addressing both effective strategies for adapting to climate change impacts and reducing emissions of climate-altering greenhouse gases. He was a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which, with former vice president Al Gore, won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

His presentation, "Responding to Climate Change," will give environmental reporters an opportunity to meet Lempert, to learn more about a wide range RAND work on climate change, and to have their questions about global warming and what can be done about it answered.