The United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is a presidential initiative that began in 1989 to coordinate and integrate federal research on environmental changes and their implications on society. Congress mandated the initiative in the Global Change Research Act of 1990, which identified a requirement for "a comprehensive and integrated U.S. research program, which will assist the Nation and the world to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global change." [1]
The USGCRP, which was known as the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) from 2002-2008, is guided by the Subcommittee on Global Change Research within the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, and is overseen by the Executive Office of the President. The program is guided by a group of Principals from 13 participating agencies:
Over the past twenty years, USGCRP has made the world's largest scientific investment in the areas of climate change and global change research – a total investment of almost $20 billion. The program has supported national and global research and observational initiatives that have led to significant advances in key areas such as:
In addition, the program has also benefited society by increasing the public's understanding of climate issues; promoting environmental stewardship; guarding life and property; and decreasing the Nation's vulnerability to climate change impact. [4]
These advances are documented in a variety of publications and assessments that were commissioned by the program, while the program's results and strategic plans are recorded in their annual report, Our Changing Planet. Between 2004 and 2009, the CCSP created a series of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products (SAPs) on various topics. USGCRP also employs reports and discussions performed by the National Research Council (NRC), which functions under the National Academies. Links are provided to the most current publications available, although all can be accessed via the USGCRP website.
Aligning with the requirements of the Global Change Research Act of 1990, USGCRP must develop a National Global Change Research Plan, also known as a strategic plan, every ten years. In late September of 2011, the USGCRP created a Draft Strategic Plan for 2012-2021, which is based on past research initiatives and advances of the USGCRP. The draft was developed with the guidance of the public, with a review completed by the NRC. The draft plan continues to recognize that a strong scientific foundation is necessary in driving response to global change.
The new strategic plan, which will be published in the first half of 2012, will emphasize the integration and inclusion of capabilities traditionally outside of the USGCRP core in an attempt to broaden its scope across various areas as well as connect with USGCRP program elements, namely:
Research by Rachel Werth
