As a follow on to the National Climate Assessment Special Session, a lunchtime panel discussion will be organized to address defining “actionable” climate information around the various Assessment themes. The panel will also address how such information can be delivered to the public to better manage risk and guide adaptation. This panel discussion will build upon the 2011 WCRP Open Science Conference session, Climate Science in Service to Society: Private Sector Needs and Opportunities. Antonio Busalacchi, Chair, University of Maryland Council on Environment and Nancy Colleton, President, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies will organize the panel and include several public and private sector representatives. For additional information, please contact Nancy Colleton (e-mail: nancy_colleton@strategies.org; tel: 703-312-0824).