PROGRAM SUMMARY STATEMENT

This program is an interdisciplinary effort involving the James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy and the Center for the Study of the Environment and Society.
It will address the disconnect between public understanding of the implications of climate change (global, regional and local) and related environmental phenomena -- including social and economic impacts -- and the scientific findings, consensus and uncertainties.
Efforts will be made to reduce the “climate change knowledge gap” that hinders the efforts of policymakers to develop, rationally debate, and implement rational policy to deal with the implications of climate change.

ITS GOALS ARE

to understand and articulate all facets of the knowledge gap between science and public understanding
to carry out activities and develop policy options that can be taken to lessen this gap in understanding
to insure a better-informed public and a more rational discussion of climate change among policymakers.

The Program functions as an independent and non-partisan analytical and critical research organization committed to disseminating its findings for the benefit of the public.
The Program serves as a bridge between science, economics and public policy by providing practical knowledge for decision-makers.
The Program helps to build consensus, affording scholars, business leaders and government officials a mechanism to insure a better informed public and to reach a common ground for action on public policy issues having to do with climate change and related environmental matters.

The Program serves to identify and encourage interested members of the Rice scholarly community and help focus and integrate their knowledge and talents toward improving public understanding of the various elements, concepts and possible societal implications of current and future climate change.
The program strengthens the interaction between academic departments, schools, and other organizations within the University through the Center for the Study of the Environment and Society and the James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy.
The Program gives Rice faculty, staff, research scholars and students the opportunity to interact with corresponding groups in other universities, government agencies, private organizations, business and industry.
The Program’s initiatives will serve to enhance educational opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, in keeping with the traditions of academic excellence at Rice University.

Individual and group projects on important issues of climate change science and policy will be commissioned by a Steering Committee. These will be published as Baker Institute Reports and will be written for the general public and policy makers, as well as scientists .
Workshops, including participants from universities, non-governmental organizations, the media, government, business and industry, will be held to insure that all relevant perspectives are considered when developing possible policy recommendations.
Seminars and symposia, geared to students, faculty and other scholars, will be presented to promote sharing of progress on projects of the Program and to stimulate ideas for additional ones.

New courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, will arise, naturally, out of the Program’s activities.
Visiting scholars and post-doctoral fellows will be invited to participate in the program projects and to enhance the University community.
Faculty and research scholars will be available to the media (e.g. op-eds, interviews, consultation), to community groups, to government agencies, to testify in Congressional or State Legislative Hearings.
A Web site will be developed and kept current on all activities of the Program.