Policy Dimensions of Mesoscale Processes

Policy choices have the greatest chance to benefit society when grounded in the best available knowledge and understanding. Improvements in our understanding of mesoscale processes and the incorporation of what we know and understand about them into societal decision-making could help policy-makers better manage weather, water, and climate risks or take advantage of emerging opportunities that research makes possible. This presentation will provide an overview of the AMS Policy Program, identify several opportunities for scientists to engage the policy process, and encourage greater exploration of the policy dimensions of weather, water, and climate research.

The AMS Policy Program focuses on three approaches: 1) we develop capacity within the scientific community for effective and constructive engagement with the broader society; 2) we inform policy makers directly of established scientific understanding and the latest policy-relevant research; and 3) we help expand the knowledge base needed for incorporating scientific understanding into the policy process through research, analysis, and studies. Through our activities, we seek to ensure that policy choices take full advantage of information and services relating to weather, water, and climate and to help policy makers understand how much the broader society's welfare depends on information and services relating to weather, water, and climate. This will help ensure that the scientific community receives the support and resources it needs to be able to make critical information and services available and, most importantly, will help the nation, and the world, avoid risks and realize opportunities related to the Earth system.