A list of protected sites within each major observing system should be developed, based on their prioritized contribution to documenting the long-term climate record. Data sets archived in non-electronic format should be converted for efficient electronic access. Instruments must have adequate accuracy with biases sufficiently small to resolve climate variations and changes of primary interest. Modeling and theoretical studies must identify spatial and temporal resolution requirements. Develop data management systems that facilitate access, use, and interpretation of data and data products by users.
International cooperation is critical for successful data management.
The panel's evaluation of existing climate records, using these ten principles, shows that only about half of the principles are being followed for some of the variables most useful for climate change detection and attribution. For other records, only one or two principles are being followed adequately. The application of all but one of He principles of climate monitoring needs improvement. If federal agencies are to serve society's needs for well-informed climate decisions, they should strive to preserve the value of the past climate record and to build improved and more valuable climate records in the future. Although this report focuses on existing observational systems, especially those with long data records, it is important to stress that this represents only a part of the needs for climate data.