ABOUT

What is SCAN?:

See SCAN's downloadable two-page summary

Cities and States are among those on the frontlines of climate change. Many are grappling with what they can do to limit their own climate pollution and to recover from and prepare for impacts. This process requires considering how available options affect their communities and other objectives.

There are resources to help. But it is often challenging for users to select the right information and apply it appropriately. For example, the National Climate Assessments provide essential information on vulnerabilities and risks. Researchers and professional communities are developing new data, models, and tools. Which are appropriate for a community’s unique locale and problem? How can the information be used in implementing decisions, for example benefit-cost analysis or engineering design?

The Science for Climate Action Network (SCAN) is addressing challenges such as these. The goal is not to support any one jurisdiction, but to encourage collaborative learning and create consensus on tested practices across a range of settings. It will help leaders and citizens to apply science in flexible, ongoing way to weigh tradeoffs and co-benefits and select adaptation and mitigation pathways that increase resilience and preparedness.

SCAN's Objectives

SCAN is designed to foster evaluation and analysis of climate-related knowledge for applications. As our network builds and evolves, so will our work and our goals.

Initially, our specific objectives are to:

Connect people and institutions who are involved in producing and using global change science (e.g., researchers, professional organizations, communities intermediaries, and practitioners)
Use sustained partnerships to evaluate the rigor and utility of climate-related tools, products, and activities that are intended to inform practitioners
Develop and disseminate synthesis products such as good practices, technical guidelines, application templates, indicators, case studies, and other tools
Promote access to climate-relevant science and tools
Conduct priority activities and products for collective efforts (to be determined in partnership with the network participants)

How will SCAN work?

SCAN brings together different types of expertise – scientific and applied – to evaluate how to use what we know to make and implement better decisions. SCAN will organize collaborative learning and assessment processes focused on challenges such as managing wildfires, planning renewable and resilient energy systems, and incorporating climate risk in economic planning. It will identify information required to make, implement, and monitor decisions, and then conduct technical assessments of the quality and usability of scientific methods and data to provide the needed information.

SCAN will serve as a backbone organization for information “user” and “producer” communities, reinforcing their efforts and articulating a collective agenda of solutions-oriented science and assessments. SCAN is committed to supporting the needs of marginalized and particularly vulnerable communities.

SCAN's Convening Committee

A small 'convening committee' has agreed to help guide the structure and initial priorities for SCAN. These experts are volunteering their time and experience to kick start this project, and will be guided by a robust stakeholder engagement process.

Members of the Convening Committee:

Dr. Bilal Ayyub, Professor, Director of the Center for Technology and Systems Management, University of Maryland
Ms. Sherri Goodman, Senior Fellow, Environmental Change and Security Program, &, Senior Fellow, Polar Institute, The Wilson Center
Ms. Taryn Finnessy, Senior Policy Advisory, US Climate Alliance
Ms. Mary Glackin, VP for Weather Business Solutions for The Weather Company, an IBM Company, and President Elect for the American Meteorological Society
Ms. Katharine Jacobs, Director, Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions, University of Arizona
Dr. Glynis Lough, a climate science and policy expert, served as Chief of Staff for the 2014 NCA.
Dr. Richard Moss, (CHAIR), Non-Resident Fellow, Andlinger Center, Princeton University
Dr. Jerry Melillo, Distinguished Scientist and Director Emeritus, The Ecosystems Center
Mr. Sascha Petersen, Executive Director, Adaptation International
Ms. Terese (TC) Richmond, Partner, Van Ness Feldman
Dr. Lynn Scarlett, Co-Chief External Affairs Officer, The Nature Conservancy
Mr. Lester Snow, a water policy expert, served as Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, Director of California DWR, and Regional Director of the Bureau of Reclamation.
Mr. Daniel Zarilli, New York City Mayor’s Office

Director of Communications: Dr. Anne Waple