The purpose of the office of state climatologist is to assist the state to understand and respond to natural and man-induced climate processes and their implications, to cooperate with the federal government in activities relating to climate studies and advisory services, to promote and disseminate a general knowledge of the climatology of the state, to establish a state climate program in accordance with the provisions of the federal National Climate Program Act and regulations promulgated pursuant to that act and to receive and utilize grants made available to the state pursuant to the provisions of the federal National Climate Program Act and other grants, gifts, donations or bequests from any source to be used in carrying out its purpose.