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2. Appropriate Balance
Pages 16-21

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From page 16...
... and investments in more immediate and often less expensive research needs. In considering this particular and other more general questions we need first to define "appropriate balance" (one in which resources are allocated to program components in a manner that will best achieve overall program goals)
From page 17...
... Examples of research activities carrying the promise of shorter term payoffs that should be strengthened and supported include some currently planned space missions such as TOPEX, existing programs that will contribute to the USGCRP, efforts in data collection and assimilation, and current efforts to model the earth system. Included in the long-lead, long-term investments that do not involve space are investments in education, to establish a pool of human resources adequate to address both the scientific and technical aspects of global change issues, and a strengthening of basic research into the processes involved in global change, in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas.
From page 18...
... By definition, much research in the science of global change requires global data sets and large-scale analyses, involving coordination and instruments that are obtainable only through organized national and international programs of research. At the same time, much of the "little" science that is carried out today by investigators or teams is made possible by data acquired through "big science" efforts, such as the World Climate Research Program.
From page 19...
... Process studies to improve understanding of global change and observational activities often proceed interactively. The results from the process studies and observations furnish information for model building, and the results of the models results often stimulate new process studies and observations.
From page 20...
... BAIANCE BEIWEEN ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING PROGRAMS The research needed to address issues of global change, as defined nationally by the NRC and the CEES and internationally by ICSU and the WMO, rests on the foundation of a number of contributing programs of research that are already in motion. Among these are the program on International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC)
From page 21...
... the panel finds both the program definition and the level of support for the USGCRP science element concerning "human interactions" notably deficient when balanced with the other elements of the program. PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATIONS The panel recommends that, in preparing future versions of the plan, CEES explicitly consider the above six dimensions of scientific balance for the program as discussed in this chapter, and that these dimensions be employed as explicit criteria in program evaluation.


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