Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade (1999)

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Chapter: Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.

Appendix A

PUBLIC LAW 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH ACT OF 1990

For Legislative History of Act, see p. 4394

An Act to require the establishment of a United States Global Change Research Program aimed at understanding and responding to global change, including the cumulative effects of human activities and natural processes on the environment, to promote discussions toward international protocols in global change research, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembles,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Global Change Research Act of 1990”.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Act, the term—

“Committee” means the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences established under section 102;
“Council” means the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology;
“global change” means changes in the global environment (including alterations in climate, land productivity, oceans or other water resources,

atmospheric chemistry, and ecological systems) that may alter the capacity of the Earth to sustain life;

“global change research” means study, monitoring, assessment, prediction, and information management activities to describe and understand—
1. the interactive physical, chemical, and biological processes that regulate the total Earth system;
2. the unique environment that the Earth provides for life;
3. changes that are occurring in the Earth system; and
4. the manner in which such system, environment, and changes are influenced by human actions;
1. “Plan” means the National Global Change Research Plan developed under section 104, or any revision thereof; and
2. “Program” means the United States Global Change Research Program established under section 103.
TITLE 1—UNITED STATES GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM

SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
1. FINDINGS—The Congress makes the following findings:
  1. Industrial, agricultural, and other human activities, coupled with an expanding world population, are contributing to processes of global change that may significantly alter the Earth habitat within a few human generations.
  2. Such human-induced changes, in conjunction with natural fluctuation, may lead to significant global warming and thus alter world climate patterns and increase global sea levels. Over the next century, these consequences could adversely affect world agricultural and marine production, coastal habitability, biological diversity, human health, and global economic and social well-being.
  3. The release of chlorofluorocarbons and other stratospheric ozone-depleting substances is rapidly reducing the ability of the atmosphere to screen out harmful ultraviolet radiation, which could adversely affect human health and ecological systems.
  4. Development of effective policies to abate, mitigate, and cope with global change will rely on greatly improved scientific understanding of global environmental processes and on our ability to distinguish human-induced from natural global change.
  5. New developments in interdisciplinary Earth sciences, global observing systems, and computing technology make possible significant advances in the scientific understanding and prediction of these global changes and their effects.
  Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
  1. Although significant Federal global change research efforts are underway, an effective Federal research program will require efficient interagency coordination, and coordination with the research activities of State, private, and international entities.
  1. PURPOSE—The purpose of this title is to provide for development and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated United States research program which will assist the Nation and the world to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global change.
  SEC. 102. COMMITTEE ON EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES.
  1. ESTABLISHMENT.—The President, through the Council, shall establish a Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences. The Committee shall carry out Council functions under section 401 of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organizations, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651) relating to global change research for the purpose of increasing the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal global change research efforts.
  2. MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall consist of at least one representative from—
    1. the National Science Foundation;
    2. the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
    3. the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce;
    4. the Environmental Protection Agency;
    5. the Department of Energy;
    6. the Department of State;
    7. the Department of Defense;
    8. the Department of the Interior;
    9. the Department of Agriculture;
    10. the Department of Transportation;
    11. the Office of Management and Budget;
    12. the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
    13. the Council on Environmental Quality;
    14. the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health; and
    15. such other agencies and departments of the United States as the President or the Chairman of the Council considers appropriate.
    Such representatives shall be high ranking officials of their agency or department, wherever possible the head of the portion of that agency or department that is most relevant to the purpose of the title described in section 101(b).
    
    Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
    1. CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairman of the Council, in consultation with the Committee, biennially shall select one of the Committee members to serve as Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be knowledgeable and experienced with regard to the administration of scientific research programs, and shall be a representative of an agency that contributes substantially, in terms of scientific research capability and budget, to the Program.
    2. SUPPORT PERSONNEL.—An Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee, with the approval of the Committee. The Executive Secretary shall be a permanent employee of one of the agencies or departments represented on the Committee, and shall remain in the employ of such agency or department. The Chairman of the Council shall have the authority to make personnel decisions regarding any employees detailed to the Council for purposes of working on business of the Committee pursuant to section 401 of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651).
    3. FUNCTIONS RELATIVE TO GLOBAL CHANGE.—The Council, through the Committee, shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the Program. In carrying out this responsibility, the Committee shall—
      1. serve as the forum for developing the Plan and for overseeing its implementation;
      2. improve cooperation among Federal agencies and departments with respect to global change research activities;
      3. provide budgetary advice as specified in section 105;
      4. work with academic, State, industry, and other groups conducting global change research, to provide for periodic public and peer review of the Program;
      5. cooperate with the Secretary of State in—
        
        providing representation at international meetings and conferences on global change research in which the United States participates; and
        
        coordinating the Federal activities of the United States with programs of other nations and with international global change research activities such as the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program;
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        SEC. 103. UNITED STATES GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
        
        The President shall establish an interagency United States Global Change Research Program to improve understanding of global change. The Program shall be implemented by the Plan developed under section 104.
        
        SEC. 104. NATIONAL GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
        
        IN GENERAL.—The Chairman of the Council, through the Committee, shall develop a National Global Change Research Plan for implementation of the Program. The Plan shall contain recommendations for national global change research. The Chairman of the Council shall submit the Plan to the Congress within one year after the date of enactment of this title, and a revised Plan shall be submitted at least once every three years thereafter.
        
        CONTENTS OF THE PLAN.—The Plan shall—
        
        establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the Plan is submitted, the goals and priorities for Federal global change research which most effectively advance scientific understanding of global change and provide usable information on which to base policy decisions relating to global change;
        
        describe specific activities, including research activities, data collection and data analysis requirements, predictive modeling, participation in international research efforts, and information management, required to achieve such goals and priorities;
        
        identify and address, as appropriate, relevant programs and activities of the Federal agencies and departments represented on the Committee that contribute to the Program;
        
        set forth the role of each Federal agency and department in implementing the Plan;
        
        consider and utilize, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the National Research Council, or other entities;
        
        make recommendations for the coordination of the global change research activities of the United States with such activities of other nations and international organizations, including—
        
        a description of the extent and nature of necessary international cooperation;
        
        the development by the Committee, in consultation when appropriate with the national Space Council, of proposals for cooperation on major capital projects;
        
        bilateral and multilateral proposals for improving worldwide access to scientific data and information; and
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        methods for improving participation in international global change research by developing nations; and
        
        estimate, to the extent practicable, Federal funding for global change research activities to be conducted under the Plan.
        
        RESEARCH ELEMENTS.—The Plan shall provide for, but not be limited to, the following research elements:
        
        Global measurements, establishing worldwide observations necessary to understand the physical, chemical, and biological processes responsible for changes in the Earth system on all relevant spatial and time scales.
        
        Documentation of global change, including the development of mechanisms for recording changes that will actually occur in the Earth system over the coming decades.
        
        Studies of earlier changes in the Earth system, using evidence from the geological and fossil record.
        
        Predictions, using quantitative models of the Earth system to identify and simulate global environmental processes and trends, and the regional implications of such processes and trends.
        
        Focused research initiatives to understand the nature of and interaction among physical, chemical, biological, and social processes related to global change.
        
        establish, develop, and maintain information bases, including necessary management systems which will promote consistent, efficient, and compatible transfer and use of data;
        
        create globally accessible formats for data collected by various international sources; and
        
        combine and interpret data from various sources to produce information readily usable by policy makers attempting to formulate effective strategies for preventing, mitigating, and adapting to the effects of global change.
        
        evaluate the scientific content of the Plan; and
        
        provide information and advice obtained from United States and international sources, and recommend priorities for future global change research.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        the proposed Plan shall be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 60 days.
        
        SEC. 105. BUDGET COORDINATION.
        
        COMMITTEE GUIDANCE.—The Committee shall each year provide general guidance to each Federal agency or department participating in the Program with respect to the preparation of requests for appropriations for activities related to the Program.
        
        UBMISSION OF REPORTS WITH AGENCY APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS.—
        
        Working in conjunction with the Committee, each Federal agency or department involved in global change research shall include with its annual request for appropriations submitted to the President under section 1108 of title 31, United States Code, a report which —
        
        identifies each element of the proposed global change research activities of the agency or department;
        
        specifies whether each element
        
        contributes directly to the Program or
        
        contributes indirectly but in important ways to the Program; and
        
        The President shall, in a timely fashion, provide the Committee with an opportunity to review and comment on the budget estimate of each agency and department involved in global change research in the context of the Plan.
        
        The President shall identify in each annual budget submitted to the Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, those items in each agency's or department's annual budget which are elements of the Program.
        
        SEC. 106. SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT.
        
        On a periodic basis (not less frequently than every 4 years), the Council, through the Committee, shall prepare and submit to the President and the Congress an assessment which—
        
        integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the Program and discusses the scientific uncertainties associated with such findings;
        
        analyzes the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation,
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        human health and welfare, human social systems, and biological diversity; and
        
        analyzes current trends in global change, both human-induced and natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years.
        
        SEC. 107. ANNUAL REPORT.
        
        GENERAL. Each year at the time of submission to the Congress of the President 's budget, the Chairman of the Council shall submit to the Congress a report on the activities conducted by the Committee pursuant to this title, including—
        
        a summary of the achievements of the Program during the period covered by the report and of priorities for future global change research;
        
        an analysis of the progress made toward achieving the goals of the Plan;
        
        expenditures required by each agency or department for carrying out its portion of the Program, including—
        
        the amounts spent during the fiscal year most recently ended;
        
        the amounts expected to be spent during the current fiscal year; and
        
        the amounts requested for the fiscal year for which the budget is being submitted.
        
        changes in agency or department roles needed to improve implementation of the Plan; and
        
        additional legislation which may be required to achieve the purposes of this title.
        
        SEC. 108. RELATION TO OTHER AUTHORITIES.
        
        NATIONAL CLIMATE PROGRAM RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.—The President, the Chairman of the Council, and the Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that relevant research activities of the National Climate Program, established by the National Climate Program Act (15 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.) are considered in developing national global change research efforts.
        
        AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS.—The President, the Chairman of the Council, and the heads of the agencies and departments represented on the Committee, shall ensure that the research findings of the Committee, and of certain agencies and departments, are available to—
        
        the Environmental Protection Agency for use in the formulation of a coordinated national policy on global climate change pursuant to
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        section 1103 of the Global Climate Protection Act of 1987 (15 U.S.C. 2901 note); and
        
        all Federal agencies and departments for use in the formulation of coordinated national policies for responding to human-induced and natural processes of global change pursuant to other statutory responsibilities and obligations.
        
        EFFECT ON FEDERAL RESPONSE ACTIONS.—Nothing in this title shall be construed, interpreted, or applied to preclude or delay the planning or implementation of any Federal action designed, in whole or in part, to address the threats of stratospheric ozone depletion or global climate change.
        
        TITLE II—INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH
        
        SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
        
        This title may be cited as the “International Cooperation in Global Change Research Act of 1990”.
        
        SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
        
        FINDINGS.—The Congress makes the following findings:
        
        Pooling of international resources and scientific capabilities will be essential to a successful international global change program.
        
        While international scientific planning is already underway, there is currently no comprehensive intergovernmental mechanism for planning, coordinating, or implementing research to understand global change and to mitigate possible adverse effects.
        
        An international global change research program will be important in building future consensus on methods for reducing global environmental degradation.
        
        The United States, as a world leader in environmental and Earth sciences, should help provide leadership in developing and implementing an international global change research program.
        
        promote international, intergovernmental cooperation on global change research;
        
        involve scientists and policymakers from developing nations in such cooperative global change research programs; and
        
        promote international efforts to provide technical and other assistance to developing nations which will facilitate improvements in
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        their domestic standard of living while minimizing damage to the global or regional environment.
        
        SEC. 203. INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSIONS.
        
        LOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH.—The President should direct the Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Committee, to initiate discussions with other nations leading toward international protocols and other agreements to coordinate global change research activities. Such discussions should include the following issues:
        
        Allocation of costs for global change research programs, especially with respect to major capital projects.
        
        Coordination of global change research plans with those developed by international organizations such as the International Council on Scientific Unions, the World Meteorological Organization, and the United Nations Environment Program.
        
        Establishment of global change research centers and training programs for scientists, especially those from developing nations.
        
        Development of innovative methods for management of international global change research, including—
        
        use of new or existing intergovernmental organizations for the coordination or funding of global change research; and
        
        creation of a limited foundation for global change research.
        
        create globally accessible formats for data collected by various international sources; and
        
        combine and interpret data from various sources to produce information readily usable by policymakers attempting to formulate effective strategies for preventing, mitigating, and adapting to possible adverse effects of global change.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Creation of an intemational cooperative program to fund research related to energy efficiency, solar and other renewable energy sources, and passively safe and diversion-resistant nuclear reactors.
        
        Creation of an international cooperative program to develop low cost energy technologies which are appropriate to the environmental, economic, and social needs of developing nations.
        
        Exchange of information concerning environmentally safe energy technologies and practices, including those described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
        
        SEC. 204. GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH INFORMATION OFFICE.
        
        Not more than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Act, the President shall, in consultation with the Committee and all relevant Federal agencies, establish an Office of Global Change Research Information. The purpose of the Office shall be to disseminate to foreign governments, businesses, and institutions, as well as the citizens of foreign countries, scientific research information available in the United States which would be useful in preventing, mitigating, or adapting to the effects of global change. Such information shall include, but need not be limited to, results of scientific research and development on technologies useful for—
        
        reducing energy consumption through conservation and energy efficiency;
        
        promoting the use of solar and renewable energy sources which reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere;
        
        developing replacements for chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and other ozone-depleting substances which exhibit a significantly reduced potential for depleting stratospheric ozone;
        
        promoting the conservation of forest resources which help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere;
        
        assisting developing countries in ecological pest management practices and in the proper use of agricultural, and industrial chemicals; and
        
        promoting recycling and source reduction of pollutants in order to reduce the volume of waste which must be disposed of, thus decreasing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
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        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
        Suggested Citation:"Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990." National Research Council. 1999. Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5992.
        
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        Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade Get This Book MyNAP members save 10% online.
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        How can we understand and rise to the environmental challenges of global change? One clear answer is to understand the science of global change, not solely in terms of the processes that control changes in climate and the composition of the atmosphere, but in how ecosystems and human society interact with these changes. In the last two decades of the twentieth century, a number of such research efforts—supported by computer and satellite technology—have been launched. Yet many opportunities for integration remain unexploited, and many fundamental questions remain about the earth's capacity to support a growing human population.
        
        This volume encourages a renewed commitment to understanding global change and sets a direction for research in the decade ahead. Through case studies the book explores what can be learned from the lessons of the past 20 years and what are the outstanding scientific questions. Highlights include:
        
        Research imperatives and strategies for investigators in the areas of atmospheric chemistry, climate, ecosystem studies, and human dimensions of global change.
        
        The context of climate change, including lessons to be gleaned from paleoclimatology.
        
        Human responses to—and forcing of—projected global change.
        
        This book offers a comprehensive overview of global change research to date and provides a framework for answering urgent questions.

Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade (1999)

Chapter: Appendix A - Public Law 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 Global Change Research Act of 1990

Appendix A

PUBLIC LAW 101-606 [S. 169]; November 16, 1990 GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH ACT OF 1990

TITLE 1—UNITED STATES GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM

TITLE II—INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH