Since 1989, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has submitted annual reports to Congress called Our Changing Planet. The reports describe the status of USGCRP research activities, provide progress updates, and document recent accomplishments
In particular, Our Changing Planet highlights progress and accomplishments in interagency activities. These highlights represent the broad spectrum of USGCRP activities that extend from Earth system observations, modeling, and fundamental research through synthesis and assessment, decision support, education, and public engagement. Highlights describe the state of science at the time of publication of each yearly report, and may not reflect more recent advances in understanding. The date of publication of the source report is noted on each highlight page.
Overview
The 2011–2012 U.S. drought was the most severe and extensive in at least 25 years, and the effects are still being felt in some areas of the Nation. Recently, USDA partnered with local governments, colleges, and state and Federal partners— including NOAA and FEMA—to conduct a series of regional drought workshops. Hundreds of farmers, ranchers, business owners, and other stakeholders met with government officials to discuss needs
Overview
NOAA, USGS, and USACE are working together to help the country prepare for and manage the impacts of changing weather and climate patterns, particularly with regard to extreme events like hurricanes, floods, and drought.
Before, during, and after coastal storm events, USGS assesses the likelihood of beach erosion, overwash, or inundation,
and provides
Overview
Coastal erosion is a long-term concern along most open-ocean shorelines in America. As coastal populations increase and more infrastructure is built to support them, demand is increasing for accurate information and regionally comprehensive analyses regarding past and present shoreline changes.
In an effort to document and understand recent trends in
Overview
Vibrio is a type of disease-causing bacteria that occurs naturally in warm coastal areas. It is the most common cause of seafood-borne disease and is associated with 95% of related fatalities. To reduce the prevalence of Vibrio-related health risks in the United States and beyond, several USGCRP