In determining how to respond to the impact of climate change, it is important to consider not just the policies themselves, but how they may be received by the public. Engaging citizens and determining their willingness to change behavior patterns are important considerations for implementing new policies, according to the National Research Council.

"The behaviors most people think make the most difference to the environment are not the ones that do," said Paul Stern, director of the NRC Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change. "When people think of being "green', they tend to pay too much attention to minor daily behaviors like recycling, and not enough to major decisions like house size."

The California Energy Commission is evaluating how to comply with the goals of the state's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) legislation, which requires reduction of GHG levels to 2000 levels by 2010 and 1990 levels by 2020. CCST is exploring ways to facilitate development of an effective climate change response strategy for the state.

The importance of integrating behavioral and social sciences with research on technological aspects of climate was echoed by Michael Feuer, executive director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education of the NRC. "The debate over climate change has shifted," Feuer said, "from whether it is happening to how best to measure its impacts and devise effective policy responses. Sound policy regarding ways we can mitigate unwanted climate change and help society cope with its effects will require attention to behavioral as well as technological innovations."