Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Global Change Research Program for Fiscal Year 2012

"Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Global Change Research Program for Fiscal Year 2012" summarizes programmatic achievements, priorities, and budgetary information for the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) established under the Global Change Research Act (GCRA, P. L. 101-606) of 1990. The USGCRP coordinates and integrates scientific research on climate and global change and is supported by thirteen participating departments and agencies of the U.S. Government. As described in the new edition of Our Changing Planet, the USGCRP will build upon its foundational elements while placing greater emphasis on several areas identified in its updated decadal Strategic Plan, which is expected to be released in spring of 2012. Areas of greater emphasis include: advancing the scientific knowledge of the integrated human and Earth system; providing the scientific basis to inform and enable timely decisions on adaptation and mitigation; building sustained assessment capacity that improves the Nation's ability to understand, anticipate, and respond to global change impacts and vulnerabilities; and increasing public understanding of global change through improved communications and educational activities. The USGCRP is committed to building a knowledge base that informs human responses to global change through coordinated and integrated federal programs of research, education, communication, and decision support.