Engin. Library QC 983 .N277 Foreword Climate affects many aspects of our lives from the production of food to our energy usage. Climate's natural variations cause hardship around the world, and there is increasing evidence that human activities might induce global climate changes. Pursuant to the National Climate Program Act, our national efforts concerning climate have been focused into a clearly defined, well coordinated program. This Plan, required under the Act, is a clear statement of our Nation's priorities and the director of our future efforts. The strategy that has been adopted is to emphasize the early production of useful data based on our current knowledge of climate, as well as the expansion of our understanding of climate and its relationship to society. Because the United States has taken the leadership in multinational projects like the Global Atmospheric Research Program and the International Decade of Ocean Exploration, and has continued to provide world leadership through programs like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and the Program of Global Monitoring for Climate Change, the National Climate Program is being established on a very strong foundation. The Federal budget for programs concerning climate in Fiscal Year 1981 will be two and a half times the amount it was in 1977. This increase reflects the recognition of climate's significance and importance to society. The development of this first multiyear plan for such a complex multiagency effort has been a significant undertaking that could not have been accomplished without the involvement and support of many individuals and groups. The comments and suggestions received on earlier drafts of the Plan from the Congress, and the efforts of the National Academy of Sciences Climate Research Board have been especially instrumental in guiding the development of this Plan. Finally, the extensive participation and cooperation received from the many Federal agencies involved have enabled us to prepare such a comprehensive and significant Plan. |