As governments, industries, and communities seek to plan for the future in the face of a changing environment, demand is high for qualified individuals to provide authoritative analysis of climate data and information. To help meet this demand and identify qualified professionals, the American Meteorological Society recently launched the Certified Climate Science Professional (CCSP) designation. AMS spoke with members of the new Board of Certified Climate Science Professionals to hear about the certification, who it’s aimed at, and why it’s important.
“With a broad range of professions and backgrounds working in the climate space, it is valuable to have a certification that recognizes the expertise of climatologists and climate scientists,” said climatologist and AMS Member Nina Oakly. “The CCSP demonstrates that the certification-holder understands physical processes of the climate system, analysis and interpretation of climate data, and how climate interacts with a range of sectors and applications (e.g., agriculture, water resources, natural hazards).
“This certification also highlights the scientist’s ability to communicate this information to users seeking climate services. The CCSP provides climatologists and climate scientists with a professional certification similar to those available for professionals in other Earth sciences, such as meteorology and hydrology. It gives employers, colleagues, and clients greater confidence in their knowledge and abilities.”
Receiving CCSP accreditation indicates that the individual has completed rigorous testing and holds educational and professional qualifications in climate science, along with the ability to effectively communicate this knowledge to clients seeking climate services.
AMS certifications have been nationally recognized as the standard in weather, water, and climate since 1957. Earning a CCSP designation provides a competitive edge with employers and earns certification-holders recognition as an expert in identifying and providing authoritative data and information to solve climate-related problems and inform decision-making.
“In a world of misinformation and disinformation, it is more important than ever to turn to subject matter experts for guidance on important topics. This is particularly true across the weather, water, and climate enterprise, where complex science can quickly become a hot-button issue in both mainstream and social media,” said Jared Rennie, a research meteorologist at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information and an AMS Certified Consulting Meteorologist.
“As we adapt to a changing climate, the need for qualified climate science professionals will only become more important,” Rennie notes. “Industry, government, and communities are increasingly being asked to make decisions about risk, resilience, and long-term planning. The new CCSP designation will recognize professionals who can interpret complex data, communicate it clearly, and put it into local context, helping ensure those decisions are grounded in sound science and appropriate data.”
The American Meteorological Society brings together certified professionals from across the world who serve as trusted experts on weather, water, and climate. This includes Certified Broadcast Meteorologists (CBMs), Certified Consulting Meteorologists (CCMs), and Certified Digital Meteorologists (CDMs), among others. These designations provide a way to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise and a commitment to communicating science responsibly.
Learn more about CCSP qualifications and apply.
