Understanding global change is critical to our Nation’s welfare and economic vitality. USGCRP conducts state-of-the-art research to understand the interactive processes that influence the total Earth system—which includes the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice, ecosystems, and people.

Across America and around the world, people are making decisions to effectively minimize and prepare for global change. USGCRP creates a strong scientific foundation for informing and enabling these decisions.

Assessments are essential tools for linking science and decision making. USGCRP has a legal mandate to conduct a National Climate Assessment every four years, the most recent of which was released in May 2014.

The long-term strength of U.S. global change research depends on close engagement with international efforts. USGCRP's international partnerships enhance scientific exchange and enable more informed, science-based decisions—domestically and globally.

Climate change has direct and indirect effects on human health. USGCRP coordinates climate and health-related research, assessment, and engagement efforts in partnership with organizations in the U.S. and around the world.

Decision makers need global change information that is centrally accessible, clearly described, authoritative, and relevant. To meet this need, USGCRP is developing a new web-based approach to information provision.

As the leading Federal authority on global change science, USGCRP and our member agencies play a key role in engaging and educating citizens about climate and related global change.