Updated 08 July, 2008

Overview of U.S. Research on
Climate and Global Change

Vision

A nation and the global community empowered with the science-based knowledge to manage the risks and opportunities of change in the climate and related environmental systems.

Mission

Facilitate the creation and application of knowledge of the Earth's global environment through research, observations, decision support, and communication.

Goals

Goal 1: Improve knowledge of the Earth's past and present climate and environment, including its natural variability, and improve understanding of the causes of observed variability and change.

Goal 2: Improve quantification of the forces bringing about changes in the Earth's climate and related systems.

Goal 3: Reduce uncertainty in projections of how the Earth�s climate and related systems may change in the future.

Goal 4: Understand the sensitivity and adaptability of different natural and managed ecosystems and human systems to climate and related global changes.

Goal 5: Explore the uses and identify the limits of evolving knowledge to manage risks and opportunities related to climate variability and change.

Core Approaches

Scientific Research: Plan, sponsor, and conduct research on changes in climate and related systems.

Observations: Enhance observations and data management systems to generate a comprehensive set of variables needed for climate-related research.

Decision Support: Develop improved science-based resources to aid decisionmaking.

Communications: Communicate results to domestic and international scientific and stakeholder communities, stressing openness and transparency.

Research Elements

Atmospheric Composition
Climate Variability and Change
Global Water Cycle
Land-Use and Land-Cover Change
Global Carbon Cycle
Ecosystems
Decision-Support Resources Development and Related Research on Human Contributions and Responses
Observing and Monitoring the Climate System
Communications
International Research and Cooperation

Related links

Strategic Plan