Resources
Climate change is a hot topic and there is a lot of information available in a variety of areas and from a variety of sources. The set of links compiled below is not an exhaustive list, but is designed to provide additional information for the topic areas listed on the left.
What is Climate Change?
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Published reports on the science, impacts, and mitigation of climate change. - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Summary of NOAA climate research
- We Can Solve the Climate Crisis
The Alliance for Climate Protection (non-profit) founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore. - Environmental Defense
Climate change science summary, tips for action and other information. - National Public Radio Climate Connections
A year long series of articles and information on climate. - Practical Climate Solutions
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
- US Global Change Research Program
Other City Actions
Although the City of Austin is taking the lead in responding to the issue of climate change, we are not alone. States as well as other cities across the nation and around the world are working to develop solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the world's changing climate. The following is a sample of cities that are taking action:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
– State and local government actions
– State action plans database - ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability
Cities for Climate Protection. Description of initiatives in cities world wide. - City of Seattle, Wash. Climate Action Plan
- City of Keene, NH Local Action Plan for Climate Protection
- City of Madison, Wisc. Climate Protection Plan
- City of San Diego, Calif. Climate Protection Action Plan (PDF, 920 KB)
- City of Cambridge, Mass. Climate Protection Plan Summary (PDF, 52 KB)
- City of Alameda, Calif. Local Action Plan for Climate Protection
- City of Palo Alto, Calif. Climate Protection Plan (PDF, 968 KB)
Air Quality Information
AirNow provides real-time air quality and pollution data for many towns and cities.
Energy Information
- The Annual Energy Outlook presents a projection and analysis of US energy supply, demand and prices through 2030.
- Save money and fuel. Get driving tips and find out how many miles to the gallon 1985-2005 model year cars and trucks get.
- Get the latest weekly U.S. retail gas prices and answers for your energy questions from A to Z, including air conditioning, lighting, wind energy and much more.
- Home Energy Performance Check
The Home Energy Saver gives an annual energy bill for an average house in your zip code and helps you find ways to save energy and cut energy costs. - Plug-in Partners
Information on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. - Pacific Institute's Bottled Water and Energy Fact Sheet
Environment/Climate Related
- Find and map environmental conditions and protection efforts affecting air, land and water in your community.
- Get local information about environmental activities that may affect air, water and land.
- Access environmental information about your community. Information is available from a variety of databases on all aspects of your local air, water and land.
- Find and map environmental data for your community.
- Click on a state to find information about priority Superfund sites and the status of efforts to clean them up.
- Learn about toxic chemicals being used, manufactured, treated, transported or released in your neighborhood.
- Enter your zip code to get tomorrow's expected ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, so you can determine sun-protective behaviors.
Water Resources
- View a map showing weekly updates of drought conditions throughout the United States.
- Monitor ocean waves, winds and undersea volcanoes in real time. Predict the tides or check the temperature of the ocean near you.
- Locate and find out about conditions and activities in any watershed in the U.S.
- Learn how to protect our nation's vital water resources.
Actions You Can Take
- EPA's "Climate Change - What You Can Do" section.
- Go to our "What You Can Do" section.
- Check out our "Green Tips" archive.
- Check out the University of Texas' Environmental Science Institute. Attend lectures, become a member, and see what else they have to offer.
Interactive Information & Videos
- Take a first step by calculating your carbon footprint.
- Virtual tour of Energy Star house with tips.
Text only version - BBC short video documentaries about climate change
- NASA videos and interviews
- MIT World Alliance for Global Sustainability Conference video series
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