Climate change. NRC reports strongly advocate action on global warming.

The three reports released last week by the National Academies9 National Research Council (NRC) had a familiar theme—the human-induced warming of the planet—but the tone, especially as presented to the public, was less familiar. The 2-year effort involving 90 scientists "emphasizes why the United States should act now," Ralph Cicerone, president of the National Academy of Sciences, said at a public briefing. The reports also have a few words about how the nation should act, which might influence a lively debate on a proposed Senate climate bill.