U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Program

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October 7, 2011

U.S. Scientists call for integrated study of carbon cycle book cover

The carbon cycle science community in the United States has just finished its planning process for carbon cycle research for the upcoming decade. This reassessment of the U.S. carbon cycle science priorities was initiated by the U.S. Carbon Cycle Interagency Working Group (CCIWG) and Carbon Cycle Science Steering Group (CCSSG) in 2008. This planning process has culminated in the publication of the new U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan. The new Plan is intended to provide guidance for U.S. research efforts on the global carbon cycle for the next decade.

The Plan outlines priorities for research in carbon cycle science, including a substantial expansion in the scope of the field. In addition to reaffirming the need for basic research and for continuing the current areas of research in carbon cycle science, the Plan outlines specific recommendations for new priorities:

(1) With greenhouse-gas concentrations rising rapidly, active management of the global carbon cycle is increasingly urgent. The plan outlines the need for carbon-cycle research on the efficacy and environmental consequences of carbon management policies, strategies, and technologies.

(2) Because humans are an integral part of the carbon cycle, both through influences on “natural” systems and through direct emissions of greenhouse gases, study of the human elements of the carbon cycle must be more thoroughly integrated into the future research agenda.

(3) The Plan recommends increased exploration of the direct impact of rising greenhouse gas concentrations and carbon-management decisions on ecosystems, species, and natural resources.

(4) Finally, because decisions about the carbon cycle will inevitably be made with imperfect knowledge, the Plan emphasizes the need for a better understanding of uncertainly in all aspects of the global carbon cycle, and improved ways of conveying those uncertainties to policy and decision makers, as well as society at large.

Electronic copies of “A U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan” are available at: http://www.carboncyclescience.gov/carbonplanning.php

Printed copies or copies on CD can be requested from the U.S Carbon Cycle Science Program Office, Dr. Gyami Shrestha at gshrestha[at]usgcrp.gov

A U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan (2011): A Report of the Carbon Cycle Science Steering Group and Subcommittee, Anna Michalak, Rob Jackson, Gregg Marland, Chris Sabine, Co-Chairs. [PDF]

October 4, 2011

The USGCRP 2012-2021 Draft Strategic Plan is open for public comment until November 29, 2011

The the US Global Change Research Program has been developing a ten year strategic plan for Federal research aimed at understanding, assessing and responding to global change, as required by the Global Change Research Act of 1990. Developed by an interagency team, the Draft Strategic Plan for 2012-2021 has undergone review and revision within the Program, and will undergo a formal review by the National Research Council. It is now available for public comment from any interested parties, as described in the announcement below. Please review the draft Strategic Plan and register your comments.

AGENCY: National Science Foundation

ACTION: Announcement of Strategic Plan Outline and Public Comment Period

SUMMARY: This Notice advises the public that the public comment period for the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) Strategic Plan is now open. Every ten years, in accordance with the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (Sec 104, P.L. 101-606), the USGCRP must produce a 10 year National Global Change Research Plan (i.e. a Strategic Plan for the USGCRP). The public comment period invites the public to provide comments and feedback on the U.S. Global Change Research Program Strategic Plan.

DATES: Public Comments are due by November 29, 2011.

ADDRESSES: To download the draft Strategic Plan, visit:
http://strategicplancomments.globalchange.gov. Respondents are encouraged to submit comments through the same website. Comments may also be sent to strategicplancomments@usgcrp.gov. Detailed instructions for electronic mail submissions are also available at
http://strategicplancomments.globalchange.gov/email-guidelines.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Any questions about the content of this request should be sent to Dr. Julie Morris, Technical Coordinator for the Strategic Plan, U.S. Global Change Research Program Office, 1717 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006, Telephone (202) 223-6262, Fax (202) 223-3065, e-mail
strategicplancomments@usgcrp.gov.

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(In addition to the above, you may also wish to visit the news listings from the North American Carbon Program and the Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry program.)

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This page last updated October 6, 2011 .

January 4, 2012