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The research initiatives identified in this report aim to make rapid progress in reducing the uncertainties in our knowledge of climate change by a focused investment in high priority areas over the next five years. The NAS recommendations are comprehensive and outline needs for research that will extend far in the future. For example, the global observing system in support of long-term climate modeling and prediction that they recommend will obviously require investments that last longer than five years. The specific proposed actions have a dual aim: (1) to reduce the present uncertainties in climate science and develop the enabling modeling capabilities, and (2) to develop research and data products that will facilitate the use of scientific knowledge to support policy and management decisions.

This survey of research initiatives is organized according to the above two goals. The research and management objectives are outlined, followed by a recommended implementation strategy in each case. It is essential that this CCRI initiative take place in the context of the broader global change research program that is ongoing in federal agencies. The US Global Change Research Program provides the continuing study of all of the complex, interrelated global change aspects that will allow the CCRI initiative to be successful, while continuing to address both long-term and short-term NAS recommendations. For this reason, a brief discussion of ongoing plans and activities is provided in order to highlight work most closely related to the proposed tasks, which will complement or accelerate existing activities, followed by some key deliverables. Other ongoing GCRP work, even though critical to sustain a climate change research program, is not presented here in the interest of keeping this document at reasonable length. Furthermore these plans were developed assuming the continued conduct of ongoing climate change programs.

In addition to identifying science priorities, the NAS has recommended changes to the existing coordinating mechanisms. Many discussions among the scientists also pointed to a need for new management strategies, as the feasibility and the implementation of the plans were considered. In particular, discussions on developing and improving climate observations and modeling capabilities were strongly linked to a more centralized management structure. Following the President's direction to "review investments in climate change research, and to maximize coordination among federal agencies", a separate recommendation is being developed to address improved management structures for climate programs. A specific management plan for the implementation of this initiative will be proposed within the overall management context.