The National Climate Assessment, a crucial report mandated by federal law, has been criticized for its shortcomings in addressing the urgent need for climate action. The author argues that the assessment's current state is 'broken' and requires significant improvements to effectively support decision-makers in business and government. The issue lies in its inability to provide a comprehensive range of adaptation and mitigation strategies, as well as guidance on decision-making in the face of climate risks and uncertainties. This is particularly concerning given the increasing severity of climate change impacts, such as extreme weather events and rising temperatures. The author's personal experience as an interdisciplinary climate and decision scientist, along with their involvement in reviewing the Fourth National Climate Assessment, has led them to conclude that the report is indeed broken and in need of urgent repair. The author emphasizes that the fix is not to deny the existence of climate change, but rather to expand the assessment's focus to include better advice on managing climate risks. This includes sharing solutions and providing practical examples of climate risk-management decisions, such as scenario planning in New York City and ballot initiatives in Flagstaff, Arizona. The author believes that by being candid about the strengths and weaknesses of different options and offering guidance on adapting these lessons to different contexts, the National Climate Assessment can become a more effective tool for decision-makers. This approach would involve building a searchable library of case studies, ensuring that the assessment remains updated, and providing a clearer picture of the trade-offs associated with various climate action options. The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the outcomes of past climate decisions and using this knowledge to better prepare for future climate risks. This perspective highlights the need for a more proactive and informative approach to climate reporting, one that empowers decision-makers to take meaningful action in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
