Global Change Research Act of 1990
PL 101-606 (S.169), enacted 11/16/1990

104 STAT. 3096 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606—NOV. 16, 1990 
Public Law 101-606 
101st Congress 
An Act 
To require the establishment of a United States Global Change Research Program 
Nov 16 1990 
aimed at understanding and responding to global change, including the cumulative 
' 
effects of human activities and natural processes on the environment, to promote 
[o. lb9J 
discussions toward international protocols in global change research, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Global Change 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Research Act 
of 1990. 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
15 u s e 2921 
note. 
This Act may be cited as the "Global Change Research Act of 
1990". 
15 u s e 2921. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
As used in this Act, the term— 
(1) "Committee" means the Committee on Earth and Environ-
mental Sciences established under section 102; 
(2) "Council" means the Federal Coordinating Council on 
Science, Engineering, and Technology; 
(3) "global change" means changes in the global environment 
(including alterations in climate, land productivity, oceans or 
other water resources, atmospheric chemistry, and ecological 
systems) that may alter the capacity of the Earth to sustain life; 
(4) "global change research" means study, monitoring, assess-
ment, prediction, and information management activities to 
describe and understand— 
(A) the interactive physical, chemical, and biological proc-
esses that regulate the total Earth system; 
(B) the unique environment that the Earth provides for 
life; 
(C) changes that are occurring in the Earth system; and 
(D) the manner in which such system, environment, and 
changes are influenced by human actions; 
(5) "Plan" means the National Global Change Research Plan 
developed under section 104, or any revision thereof; and 
(6) "Program" means the United States Global Change 
Research Program established under section 103. 
TITLE I—UNITED STATES GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH 
PROGRAM 
15 u s e 2931. 
SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Industrial, agricultural, and other human activities, cou-
pled with an expanding world population, are contributing to 
processes of global change that may significantly alter the 
Earth habitat within a few human generations. 
(2) Such human-induced changes, in conjunction with natural 
fluctuations, may lead to significant global warming and thus 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606-NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3097 
alter world climate patterns and increase global sea levels. Over 
the next century, these consequences could adversely affect 
world agricultural and marine production, coastal habitability, 
biological diversity, human health, and global economic and 
social well-being. 
(3) The release of chlorofluorocarbons and other stratospheric 
ozone-depleting substances is rapidly reducing the ability of the 
atmosphere to screen out harmful ultraviolet radiation, which 
could adversely affect human health and ecological systems. 
(4) Development of effective policies to abate, mitigate, and 
cope with global change will rely on greatly improved scientific 
understanding of global environmental processes and on our 
ability to distinguish human-induced from natural global 
change. 
(5) New developments in interdisciplinary Earth sciences, 
global observing systems, and computing technology make pos-
sible significant advances in the scientific understanding and 
prediction of these global changes and their effects. 
(6) Although significant Federal global change research ef-
forts are underway, an effective Federal research program will 
require efficient interagency coordination, and coordination 
with the research activities of State, private, and international 
entities. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this title is to provide for develop-
ment and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated United 
States research program which will assist the Nation and the world 
to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and 
natural processes of global change. 
SEC. 102. COMMITTEE ON EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES. 
15 USC 2932. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President, through the Council, shall 
establish a Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences. The 
Committee shall carry out Council functions under section 401 of 
the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and 
Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651) relating to global change 
research, for the purpose of increasing the overall effectiveness and 
productivity of Federal global change research efforts. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall consist of at least one 
representative from— 
(1) the National Science Foundation; 
(2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; 
(3) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of 
the Department of Commerce; 
(4) the Environmental Protection Agency; 
(5) the Department of Energy; 
(6) the Department of State; 
(7) the Department of Defense; 
(8) the Department of the Interior; 
(9) the Department of Agriculture; 
(10) the Department of Transportation; 
(11) the Office of Management and Budget; 
(12) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; 
(13) the Council on Environmental Quality; 
(14) the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 
of the National Institutes of Health; and 
104 STAT. 3098 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606—NOV. 16, 1990 
(15) such other agencies and departments of the United States 
as the President or the Chairman of the Council considers 
appropriate. 
Such representatives shall be high ranking officials of their agency 
or department, wherever possible the head of the portion of that 
agency or department that is most revelant to the purpose of the 
title described in section 101(b). 
(c) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairman of the Council, in consultation 
with the Committee, biennially shall select one of the Committee 
members to serve as Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be 
knowledgeable and experienced with regard to the administration of 
scientific research programs, and shall be a representative of an 
agency that contributes substantially, in terms of scientific research 
capability and budget, to the Program. 
(d) SUPPORT PERSONNEL.—An Executive Secretary shall be ap-
pointed by the Chairperson of the Committee, with the approval of 
the Committee. The Executive Secretary shall be a permanent 
employee of one of the agencies or departments represented on the 
Committee, and shall remain in the employ of such agency or 
department. The Chairman of the Council shall have the authority 
to make personnel decisions regarding any employees detailed to the 
Council for purposes of working on business of the Committee 
pursuant to section 401 of the National Science and Technology 
Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651). 
(e) FUNCTIONS RELATIVE TO GLOBAL CHANGE.—The Council, 
through the Committee, shall be responsible for planning and co-
ordinating the Program. In carr5dng out this responsibility, the 
Committee shall— 
(1) serve as the forum for developing the Plan and for 
overseeing its implementation; 
(2) improve cooperation among Federal agencies and depart-
ments with respect to global change research activities; 
(3) provide budgetary advice as specified in section 105; 
(4) work with academic, State, industry, and other groups 
conducting global change research, to provide for periodic 
public and peer review of the Program; 
(5) cooperate with the Secretary of State in— 
(A) providing representation at international meetings 
and conferences on global change research in which the 
United States participates; and 
(B) coordinating the Federal activities of the United 
States with programs of other nations and with inter-
, 
national global change research activities such as the Inter-
national Geosphere-Biosphere Program; 
(6) consult with actual and potential users of the results of the 
Program to ensure that such results are useful in developing 
national and international policy responses to global change; 
and 
Reports. 
(7) report at least annually to the President and the Congress, 
through the Chairman of the Council, on Federal global change 
research priorities, policies, and programs. 
President. 
SEC. 103. UNITED STATES GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
15 use 2933. 
The President shall establish an interagency United States Global 
Change Research Program to improve understanding of global 
change. The Program shall be implemented by the Plan developed 
under section 104. 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3099 
SEC. 104. NATIONAL GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PLAN. 
15 USC 2934. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Chairman of the Council, through the 
Committee, shall develop a National Global Change Research Plan 
for implementation of the Program. The Plan shall contain rec-
ommendations for national global change research. The Chairman 
of the Council shall submit the Plan to the Congress within one year 
after the date of enactment of this title, and a revised Plan shall be 
submitted at least once every three years thereafter. 
(b) CONTENTS OF THE PLAN.—The Plan shall— 
(1) establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the 
Plan is submitted, the goals and priorities for Federal global 
change research which most effectively advance scientific 
understanding of global change and provide usable information 
on which to base policy decisions relating to global change; 
(2) describe specific activities, including research activities, 
data collection and data analysis requirements, predictive mod-
eling, participation in international research efforts, and 
information management, required to achieve such goals and 
priorities; 
(3) identify and address, as appropriate, relevant programs 
and activities of the Federal agencies and departments rep-
resented on the Committee that contribute to the Program; 
(4) set forth the role of each Federal agency and department 
in implementing the Plan; 
(5) consider and utilize, as appropriate, reports and studies 
conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the National 
Research Council, or other entities; 
(6) make recommendations for the coordination of the global 
change research activities of the United States with such 
activities of other nations and international organizations, 
including— 
(A) a description of the extent and nature of necessary 
international cooperation; 
(B) the development by the Committee, in consultation 
when appropriate with the National Space Council, of 
proposals for cooperation on major capital projects; 
(C) bilateral and multilateral proposals for improving 
worldwide access to scientific data and information; and 
(D) methods for improving participation in international 
global change research by developing nations; and 
(7) estimate, to the extent practicable. Federal funding for 
global change research activities to be conducted under the 
Plan. 
(c) RESEARCH ELEMENTS.—The Plan shall provide for, but not be 
limited to, the following research elements: 
(1) Global measurements, establishing worldwide observations 
necessary to understand the physical, chemical, and biological 
processes responsible for changes in the Earth system on all 
relevant spatial and time scales. 
(2) Documentation of global change, including the develop-
ment of mechanisms for recording changes that will actually 
occur in the Earth system over the coming decades. 
(3) Studies of earlier changes in the Earth system, using 
evidence from the geological and fossil record. 
(4) Predictions, using quantitative models of the Earth system 
to identify and simulate global environmental processes and 
104 STAT. 3100 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606—NOV. 16, 1990 
Federal 
Register, 
publication. 
15 u s e 2935. 
trends, and the regional implications of such processes and 
trends. 
(5) Focused research initiatives to understand the nature of 
and interaction among physical, chemical, biological, and social 
processes related to global change. 
(d) INFORMATION MANAGEMENT.—The Plan shall provide rec-
ommendations for collaboration within the Federal Government and 
among nations to— 
(1) establish, develop, and maintain information bases, includ-
ing necessary management systems which will promote consist-
ent, efficient, and compatible transfer and use of data; 
(2) create globally accessible formats for data collected by 
various international sources; and 
(3) combine and interpret data from various sources to 
produce information readily usable by policymakers attempting 
to formulate effective strategies for preventing, mitigating, and 
adapting to the effects of global change. 
(e) NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL EVALUATION.—The Chairman of 
the Council shall enter into an agreement with the National Re-
search Council under which the National Research Council shall— 
(1) evaluate the scientific content of the Plan; and 
(2) provide information and advice obtained from United 
States and international sources, and recommended priorities 
for future global change research. 
if) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—In developing the Plan, the Committee 
shall consult with academic. State, industry, and environmental 
groups and representatives. Not later than 90 days before the 
Chairman of the Council submits the Plan, or any revision thereof, 
to the Congress, a summary of the proposed Plan shall be published 
in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 
60 days. 
SEC. 105. BUDGET COORDINATION. 
(a) COMMITTEE GUIDANCE.—The Committee shall each year pro-
vide general guidance to each Federal agency or department partici-
pating in the Program with respect to the preparation of requests 
for appropriations for activities related to the Program. 
Qo) SUBMISSION OF REPORTS WITH AGENCY APPROPRIATIONS RE-
QUESTS.—(1) Working in conjunction with the Committee, each Fed-
eral agency or department involved in global change research shall 
include with its annual request for appropriations submitted to the 
President under section 1108 of title 31, United States Code, a report 
which— 
(A) identifies each element of the proposed global change 
research activities of the ^ency or department; 
(B) specifies whether each element (i) contributes directly to 
the Program or (ii) contributes indirectly but in important ways 
to the Program; and 
(C) states the portion of its request for appropriations allo-
cated to each element of the Program. 
(2) Each agency or department that submits a report under para-
graph (1) shall submit such report simultaneously to the Committee. 
(c) CONSIDERATION IN PRESIDENT'S BUDGET.—(1) The President 
shall, in a timely fashion, provide the Committee with an oppor-
tunity to review and comment on the budget estimate of each 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3101 
agency and department involved in global change research in the 
context of the Plan. 
(2) The President shall identify in each annual budget submitted 
to the Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, 
those items in each agency's or department's annual budget which 
are elements of the Program. 
SEC. 106. SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT. 
15 USC 2936. 
On a periodic basis (not less frequently than every 4 years), the 
Council, through the Committee, shall prepare and submit to the 
President and the Congress an assessment which— 
(1) integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the 
Program and discusses the scientific uncertainties associated 
with such findings; 
(2) analyzes the effects of global change on the natural 
environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and 
water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, 
human social systems, and biological diversity; and 
(3) analyzes current trends in global change, both human-
inducted and natural, and projects major trends for the subse-
quent 25 to 100 years. 
SEC. 107. ANNUAL REPORT. 
15 USC 2937. 
(a) GENERAL.—Each year at the time of submission to the Con-
gress of the President's budget, the Chairman of the Council shall 
submit to the Congress a report on the activities conducted by the 
Committee pursuant to this title, including— 
(1) a summary of the achievements of the Program during the 
period covered by the report and of priorities for future global 
change research; 
(2) an analysis of the progress made toward achieving the 
goals of the Plan; 
(3) expenditures required by each agency or department for 
carrying out its portion of the Program, including— 
(A) the amounts spent during the fiscal year most re-
cently ended; 
(B) the amounts expected to be spent during the current 
fiscal year; and 
(C) the amounts requested for the fiscal year for which 
the budget is being submitted. 
(h) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The report required by subsection (b) 
shall include recommendations by the President concerning— 
(1) changes in agency or department roles needed to improve 
implementation of the Plan; and 
(2) additional legislation which may be required to achieve the 
purposes of this title. 
SEC. 108. RELATION TO OTHER AUTHORITIES. 
15 USC 2938. 
(a) 
NATIONAL CUMATE 
PROGRAM RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.—The 
President, the Chairman of the Council, and the Secretary of Com-
merce shall ensure that relevant research activities of the National 
Climate Program, established by the National Climate Program Act 
(15 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.), are considered in developing national global 
change research efforts. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS.—The President, the 
Chairman of the Council, and the heads of the agencies and depart-
ments represented on the Committee, shall ensure that the research 
104 STAT. 3102 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606—NOV. 16, 1990 
findings of the Committee, and of Federal agencies and depart-
ments, are available to— 
(1) the Environmental Protection Agency for use in the 
formulation of a coordinated national policy on global climate 
change pursuant to section 1103 of the Global Climate Protec-
tion Act of 1987 (15 U.S.C. 2901 note); and 
(2) all Federal agencies and departments for use in the formu-
lation of coordinated national policies for responding to human-
induced and natural processes of global change pursuant to 
other statutory responsibilities and obligations. 
(c) EFFECT ON FEDERAL RESPONSE ACTIONS.—Nothing in this title 
shall be construed, interpreted, or applied to preclude or delay the 
planning or implementation of any Federal action designed, in 
whole or in part, to address the threats of stratospheric ozone 
depletion or global climate change. 
International 
Cooperation in 
Global Change 
Research Act 
of 1990. 
15 u s e 2921 
note. 
15 u s e 2951. 
15 u s e 2952. 
President. 
TITLE II—INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN GLOBAL 
CHANGE RESEARCH 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "International Cooperation in 
Global Change Research Act of 1990". 
SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Pooling of international resources and scientific capabili-
ties will be essential to a successful international global change 
program. 
(2) While international scientific planning is already under-
way, there is currently no comprehensive intergovernmental 
mechanism for planning, coordinating, or implementing re-
search to understand global change and to mitigate possible 
adverse effects. 
(3) An international global change research program will be 
important in building future consensus on methods for reducing 
global environmental degradation. 
(4) The United States, as a world leader in environmental and 
Earth sciences, should help provide leadership in developing 
and implementing an international global change research pro-
gram. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this title are to— 
(1) promote international, intergovernmental cooperation on 
global change research; 
(2) involve scientists and policymakers from developing na-
tions in such cooperative global change research programs; and 
(3) promote international efforts to provide technical and 
other assistance to developing nations which will facilitate 
improvements in their domestic standard of living while mini-
mizing damage to the global or regional environment. 
SEC. 203. INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSIONS. 
(a) GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH.—The President should direct the 
Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Committee, to initiate 
discussions with other nations leading toward international proto-
cols and other agreements to coordinate global change research 
activities. Such discussions should include the following issues: 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3103 
(1) Allocation of costs in global change research programs, 
especially with respect to major capital projects. 
(2) Coordination of global change research plans with those 
developed by international organizations such as the Inter-
national Council on Scientific Unions, the World Meteorological 
Organization, and the United Nations Environment Program. 
(3) Establishment of global change research centers and train-
ing programs for scientists, especially those from developing 
nations. 
(4) Development of innovative methods for management of 
international global change research, including— 
(A) use of new or existing intergovernmental organiza-
tions for the coordination or funding of global change re-
search; and 
(B) creation of a limited foundation for global change 
research. 
(5) The prompt establishment of international projects to— 
(A) create globally accessible formats for data collected by 
various international sources; and 
(B) combine and interpret data from various sources to 
produce information 
readily 
usable by policymakers 
attempting to formulate effective strategies for preventing, 
mitigating, and adapting to possible adverse effects of 
global change. 
(6) Establishment of international offices to disseminate 
information useful in identifying, preventing, mitigating, or 
adapting to the possible effects of global change. 
Qo) ENERGY RESEARCH.—The President should direct the Secretary 
of State (in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary 
of Commerce, the United States Trade Representative, and other 
appropriate members of the Committee) to initiate discussions with 
other nations leading toward an international research protocol for 
cooperation on the development of energy technologies which have 
minimally adverse effects on the environment. Such discussions 
should include, but not be limited to, the following issues: 
(1) Creation of an international cooperative program to fund 
research related to energy efficiency, solar and other renewable 
energy sources, and passively safe and diversion-resistant nu-
clear reactors. 
(2) Creation of an international cooperative program to de-
velop low cost energy technologies which are appropriate to the 
environmental, economic, and social needs of developing na-
tions. 
(3) Exchange of information concerning environmentally safe 
energy technologies and practices, including those described in 
paragraphs (1) and (2). 
SEC. 204. GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH INFORMATION OFFICE. 
Not more than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the President shall, in consultation with the Committee and all 
relevant Federal agencies, establish an Office of Global Change 
Research Information. The purpose of the Office shall be to dissemi-
nate to foreign governments, businesses, and institutions, as well as 
the citizens of foreign countries, scientific research information 
available in the United States which would be useful in preventing, 
mitigating, or adapting to the effects of global change. Such informa-
President. 
President. 
Establishment. 
15 u s e 2953. 
104 STAT. 3104 
PUBLIC LAW 101-606—NOV. 16, 1990 
tion shall include, but need not be limited to, results of scientific 
research and development on technologies useful for— 
(1) reducing energy consumption through conservation and 
energy efficiency; 
(2) promoting the use of solar and renewable energy sources 
which reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the 
atmosphere; 
(3) developing replacements for chlorofluorocarbons, halons, 
and other ozone-depleting substances which exhibit a signifi-
cantly reduced potential for depleting stratospheric ozone; 
(4) promoting the conservation of forest resources which help 
reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; 
(5) assisting developing countries in ecological pest manage-
ment practices and in the proper use of agricultural, and indus-
trial chemicals; and 
(6) promoting recycling and source reduction of pollutants in 
order to reduce the volume of waste which must be disposed of, 
thus decreasing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. 
TITLE III—GROWTH DECISION AID 
15 u s e 2961. 
SEC. 301. STUDY AND DECISION AID. 
(a) The Secretary of Commerce shall conduct a study of the 
implications and potential consequences of growth and development 
on urban, suburban, and rural communities. Based upon the find-
ings of the study, the Secretary shall produce a decision aid to assist 
State and local authorities in planning and managing urban, subur-
ban, and rural growth and development while preserving commu-
nity character. 
(b) The Secretary of Commerce shall consult with other appro-
priate Federal departments and agencies as necessary in carrying 
out this section. 
Reports. 
(c) The Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the Congress a 
report containing the decision aid produced under subsection (a) no 
later than January 30, 1992. The Secretary shall notify appropriate 
State and local authorities that such decision aid is available on 
request. 
Approved November 16, 1990. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 169: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 101-40 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 136 (1990): 
Feb. 6, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 26, considered and passed House, amended. 
Oct. 27, Senate concurred in House amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 26 (1990): 
Nov. 16, Presidential remarks.