A Review of the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s Draft Strategic Plan

Outlined in this report, issues of key importance are the need to identify initial steps the Program will take to actually achieve the proposed broadening of its scope, to develop critical science capacity that is now lacking, and to link the production of knowledge to its use; and the need to establish an overall governance structure that will allow the Program to move in the planned new directions.

The report addresses not only climate change but also other climate-related global changes is appropriate and an important step. The draft plan does not always acknowledge significant challenges, such as increasingly constrained budget resources, involved in meeting its goals, nor does it offer clear strategies for how such challenges could be addressed. There is also the practical challenge of maintaining clear boundaries for an expanded program.

The report suggests that the USGCRP plan could be strengthened by:
offering a more coherent summary of past important accomplishments, including an assessment of successes that were possible only because of USGCRP actions;
establishing clear processes for setting priorities and phasing in and out elements of the program;
employing iterative processes for periodically evaluating and updating the program and its priorities; and
more carefully defining the education, communication, and work-force development efforts that belong within the program and which efforts would be best organized by entities outside the program.

Contents
SUMMARY
1. INTRODUCTION
2. CONVEYING THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH
3. GLOBAL CHANGE VERSUS CLIMATE CHANGE
4. COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC TOPICS WITHIN PROGRAM GOALS 1-4
Observations, Modeling, and Data Management
Social Sciences Research
Ecological Sciences Research
Mitigation and Adaptation
Decision Support
Communication, Education, Workforce Development
Key Messages Regarding Expansion of the Program
5. PROCESS, STRUCTURE, AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUE
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
A: Statement of Task
B: Committee Member Biosketches
C: Comments from members of the Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate and Committee on Human Dimensions of Global Change

US GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM: Strategic Plan
I. INTRODUCTION
II. VISION AND MISSION
USGCRP Vision and Mission
Framework for the New USGCRP
Unifying Ideas
Cross-Linking Activities
III. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: Advance Science
Objective 1.1: Earth System Understanding
Objective 1.2: Science for Adaptation and Mitigation
Objective 1.3: Integrated Observations
Objective 1.4: Integrated Modeling
Objective 1.5: Information Management and Sharing
Goal 2: Inform Decisions
Objective 2.1: Inform Adaptation Decisions
Objective 2.2: Inform Mitigation Decisions
Objective 2.3: Enhancing Climate Services
Objective 2.4: Enhancing International Partnerships
Goal 3: Sustained Assessments
Objective 3.1: Scientific Integration
Objective 3.2: Ongoing Capacity
Objective 3.3: Inform Responses
Objective 3.4: Evaluate Progress
Goal 4: Communicate and Educate
Objective 4.1: Strengthen Communication and Education Research
Objective 4.2: Reach Diverse Audiences
Objective 4.3: Increase Engagement
Objective 4.4: Cultivate Workforce
IV. COORDINATING WITH OTHER NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL 48 ORGANIZATIONS
V. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Guidelines for Implementation of the Strategic Plan
APPENDIX I. PROGRAM ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION BY 55
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT
APPENDIX II. GLOSSARY OF TERMS