WASHINGTON - September 14 - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today announced the formation of eight regional Interior Department Climate Change Response Centers that will develop strategies to address climate change on federal land.

Below is a statement by Brenda Ekwurzel, climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

"Interior Secretary Salazar's announcement means the United States will be much better prepared to respond to the current and coming changes due to global warming. The Interior Department manages 20 percent of the land in the United States, so its role in developing strategies to cope with the unavoidable consequences of global warming is critical and could potentially save lives.

"For example, this new initiative would allow the federal government to develop floodplain maps that take into account the changes that have already occurred due to global warming and what will likely happen down the road. This would allow developers to know where it's safe to build, as well as identify the type of infrastructure improvements, for such things as bridges and levies, that protect communities in flood zone regions.  

"The federal government will develop strategies to address the growing wildfire threat in the West. These strategies could include reducing rampant bark beetle infestations that kill trees and create a tinder box situation for forests in drought conditions. The plans also could provide information to state and local governments to identify vulnerable locations most in need of fire breaks and other buffers around homes. 

"These new Interior Department regional centers will coordinate with state and local governments and local residents to help them respond to the changes in their own backyards. Planning is key, because regardless of what we do, we will still have to adapt. And planning will allow us to lower the costs of adapting.  The administration is taking the actions it can under existing laws and with limited funding. To fully protect the public and lands of the United States, we need legislation that provides funding for adaptation and curbs heat-trapping emissions.

"We fully support the administration's new initiative and encourage continued focus on an earlier Interior Department initiative that calls for expanding renewable energy on U.S. public lands."

For a UCS report on the costs the United States would incur if climate change continues unabated, go to: www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/impacts/climate-costs-of-inaction.html.