Download for understanding the Strategic Framework

Forest Service
Responding to Climate Change
PPT
The Forest Service Mission
Sustain the health, diversity, and
productivity of the Nation’s forests and
grasslands to meet the needs of
present and future generations.
Climate Change
Fire: the season is coming earlier and
ending later
Insects: winter cold isn’t knocking some
populations back. Epidemics are larger
and last longer, killing more trees and
increasing fire risk.
Water: snowpacks are thinner and they
melt earlier in spring—increasing drought
If warming continues as anticipated
over the next 30 years…
The number and severity of large wildfires
are likely to increase
The range and frequency of large insect
outbreaks are likely to increase
Hurricanes are likely to increase. Storm
damage can reduce forest productivity
and carbon storage.
So What is the Forest Service Doing
About Climate Change?
For over 20 years the Forest Service has
been studying the affects of climate
change on our forests and grasslands
13 Forest Service scientists contributed
science research in the IPCC Nobel Prize
for their work on climate change
We have developed the “Strategic
Framework for Responding to Climate
Change”
What is the Strategic Framework for
Responding to Climate Change?
The Framework is the agency’s roadmap
for dealing with changing environmental,
social, and economic conditions
It is an overarching structure for
strategies, priorities, policy decisions,
resource allocations
It is science-based approach to climate
change education and alliance focused
The Framework Has Seven Goals:
1) Science - Advance our understanding.
2) Adaptation – Enhance capacity of forests and
grasslands to adapt.
3) Mitigation – Promote management of forests and
grasslands to reduce greenhouse gases.
4) Policy – Integrate climate change into policies, program
guidance, and communications.
5) Sustainable Operations – Reduce the environmental
footprint of the Forest Service.
6) Education – Increase environmental literacy.
7) Alliances – Establish and enhance strong partnerships.
How will the agency implement the
Strategic Framework?
Seven implementation teams are
working on the first phase of action
The teams coordinate through a
management coordination team
Users and experts throughout the
Forest Service will provide advice,
review and feedback to teams
First Set of Actions
Build knowledge, skills, and expertise
Develop experience, and partnerships.
Support the mission of the Forest Service
The Agency will also be thinking ahead to:
Identify actions for the next phase of
implementation of the Strategic Framework
for Responding to Climate Change.