National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced plans on 8 February to create a 'climate service' charged with collecting and disseminating climate-related data and information. Thomas Karl, who is currently the director of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, will head the programme, which will also incorporate six existing regional climate centres and a new online portal. The reorganization will require authorization from Congress, which is currently considering the 2011 budget. Legislation to establish a national climate service linking the climate programmes of all federal agencies - an idea supported by NOAA chief Jane Lubchenco -is pending in Congress.
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