Canadian global change program

The Canadian Global Change Program was established under the auspices of the Royal Society of Canada and has evolved into a multidisciplinary and multi-agency network that stimulates and facilitates the research planning process and communicates results and ideas to international and national bodies responsible for research and policy development. The specific objectives of the Program include: development of a national network for global change research; assist in formulating appropriate response policies; promote the cooperation and integration of the appropriate research disciplines and organizations; provide a national information base on Program activities and projects; and promote awareness of the challenges and opportunities resulting from global change. Overall direction and priorities of the Program are established by a board including representatives from government, institutions, universities, industries, and the communications sector. A research committee develops, recommends, and reviews research priorities and stimulates production of reports addressing specific scientific and public policy issues. Focal points of Program research include the Arctic, environmentally sensitive and critical zones, climatic change, oceans and hydrological processes, data and information systems, ecosystem research and monitoring, energy conservation, environmental effects on human health, renewable resources, paleoenvironments, and national security. 3 figs., 1 tab