Our Changing Planet: the U.s. Global Change Research Program for Fiscal Year 2012

U. S. global change research over the past several decades has contributed substantially to an improved understanding of the interactions of natural and human-induced changes in the global environment and their effects on society. To continue assisting the government and society as a whole with understanding, projecting, and responding to global change, the agencies of the Federal government deploy a wide range of powerful science and technology resources. Since 1990, the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has developed and submitted an annual report, Our Changing Planet, to Congress describing the current state of the USGCRP and ongoing Federal research activities focused on global change. This Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 edition summarizes the Programs achievements, progress made, future priorities, and budgetary information. It thereby responds to the requirements of the U. S. Global Change Research Act of 1990 (GCRA; Section 102, P. L. 101-606) for an annual report on Federal global change research priorities, policies, and programs.