See also press release (dated 25 Aug 2004)

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Letter of Transmittal

July 2004

Members of Congress:

We are pleased to transmit to you a copy of Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Climate Change Science Program for Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005. The report describes the activities and plans of the Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), which incorporates the U.S. Global Change Research Program, established under the Global Change Research Act of 1990, and the Climate Change Research Initiative, established by the President in 2001. The CCSP coordinates and integrates scientific research on climate and global change supported by 13 participating departments and agencies of the U.S. Government.

This Fiscal Year 2004 – Fiscal Year 2005 edition of Our Changing Planet includes a review of the key components of the Strategic Plan for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, which was released in July 2003. The CCSP Strategic Plan was the first comprehensive update of a national plan for climate and global change research since the original strategy was issued at the inception of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. This report outlines how the CCSP is moving forward to implement the Strategic Plan during FY 2004 and FY 2005.

As a significant part of this implementation, the CCSP will produce 21 scientific syntheses and assessments on a wide range of topics to support informed discussion of climate variability and change and associated issues by decision makers and the public. The first nine of these products are being developed during FY 2004 and FY 2005.

The report also presents highlights of recent research supported by CCSP participating agencies on Climate Variability and Change, the Global Carbon Cycle, and other elements of the research program, and highlights of plans for FY 2004 and FY 2005. A section on International Research and Cooperation describes the Earth Observation Summit, hosted by the Secretaries of Commerce, Energy, and State, held in Washington, DC, in July 2003, as well as numerous current activities to promote cooperation between the U.S. scientific community and its counterparts worldwide. An Appendix describes principal areas of focus and program highlights for each of the CCSP participating agencies. A detailed set of CCSP budget tables is included as an insert in the report.

The CCSP is guided by the vision of our 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. We thank the participating departments and agencies of the CCSP for their close cooperation and support and look forward to working with Congress in the continued development of this important program.

Donald L. Evans Secretary of Commerce Chair, Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology Integration

Spencer Abraham Secretary of Energy Vice Chair, Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology Integration

John H. Marburger III, Ph.D. Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy Executive Director, Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology Integration