Climate Change Programs
Stored: U.S. Global Change Research Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Science and Technology Policy |
| Top Organization | Department of State |
| Creation Legislation | Global Change Research Act of 1990 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The U.S. Global Change Research Program coordinates federal research to understand, assess, and predict global climate change and its impacts. It aims to inform decision-making for adaptation and mitigation across government, communities, and industries. |
| Program Start | 1990 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with U.S. Global Change Research Program. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2025. |
U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is a Department of State-led interagency effort that coordinates climate change research across 13 federal agencies, producing authoritative assessments like the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) in 2023 to guide national and local responses to climate risks. Established in 1990, it integrates science from NOAA, NASA, and others, managing a $2 billion annual budget by 2025, supporting over 500 projects, and delivering tools like the Climate Resilience Toolkit, with impacts including $3 trillion in influenced federal actions since inception.
Goals
- Advance scientific understanding of climate change processes and impacts.[1]
- Deliver actionable climate data and assessments, targeting stakeholders across sectors.
- Enhance resilience and adaptation by informing policy with evidence-based research.
Organization
The U.S. Global Change Research Program is sponsored by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) under the Executive Office of the President, with the Department of State leading international coordination, involving agencies like NOAA, NASA, and EPA.[2] Funding comes from Congressional appropriations, with FY 2025 at $2 billion across agencies, managed by a National Coordination Office and guided by a 24-member steering committee. It supports research hubs and integrates efforts via subcommittees on science and adaptation.
The leader at the Department of State level is the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, currently John Kerry (as of February 19, 2025), with OSTP oversight by the Director.
History
The U.S. Global Change Research Program was established by the Global Change Research Act of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush, consolidating earlier climate efforts like NASA’s Earth Science program into a unified framework.[3] It launched with the First National Climate Assessment in 2000, evolving with NCA5 in 2023 and tools like the U.S. Sea Level Change website in 2024. By 2025, it has shaped policy with over 500 projects, responding to climate crises like 2025’s intensified wildfires and floods.
Funding
Initial funding in 1990 came from Congressional appropriations, though specific amounts are not isolated from agency budgets.[4] Funding began in 1990 and continues, with FY 2025 at $2 billion across 13 agencies, supporting research, assessments, and tools like the Climate Resilience Toolkit, with no end date and annual renewals driving its scope.
Implementation
The program is implemented through coordinated research across agencies, producing quadrennial National Climate Assessments and tools like the Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation portal, with projects executed by agency scientists and partners.[5] It operates continuously, delivering data-driven solutions for adaptation and mitigation, with no fixed end date, adapting to 2025 priorities like sea level rise and extreme weather.
Related
External links
- https://www.globalchange.gov/
- https://www.noaa.gov/climate - NOAA climate programs
- https://climate.nasa.gov/ - NASA climate research
- wikipedia:U.S. Global Change Research Program
Social media
References
- ↑ "USGCRP Mission," GlobalChange.gov, https://www.globalchange.gov/about, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "USGCRP Structure," GlobalChange.gov, https://www.globalchange.gov/about/organization-leadership, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "USGCRP History," GlobalChange.gov, https://www.globalchange.gov/about/history, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Our Changing Planet FY 2025," GlobalChange.gov, https://www.globalchange.gov/content/our-changing-planet-fy2025, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "USGCRP Implementation," GlobalChange.gov, https://www.globalchange.gov/our-work, accessed February 19, 2025.