Climate change is a long-term problem, decades in the making, that cannot be solved overnight. A real solution must be durable, science-based, and economically sustainable. In particular, we seek an environmentally sound approach that will not harm the U.S. economy, which remains a critically important engine of global prosperity. We believe that economic development is key to protecting the global environment. In the real world, no one will forego meeting basic family needs to protect the global com mons. Environmental protection is neither achievable nor sustainable without opportunities for continued development and greater prosperity. Our objective is to ensure a long-term solution that is environmentally effective, economically efficient and sustainable, and appropriate in terms of addressing the urgent problems of today while enhancing our ability to deal with future problems. Protecting the global environment is too important a responsibility for anything less. In this U.S. Climate Action Report, we provide our third formal national communication under the Framework Convention, as envisioned under Articles 4 and 12 of the Convention. We describe our national circumstances, identify existing and planned policies and measures, indicate future trends in greenhouse gas emissions, outline expected impacts and adaptation measures, and provide information on financial resources, technology transfer, research, and systematic observations."