PROGRAM TITLE:	Information/Coordination
ACTIVITY STREAM: 	Observations/Data Management
SCIENCE ELEMENT:	Climate and Hydrologic Systems, Biogeochemical 
Dynamics and Ecological Systems and Dynamics

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DESCRIPTION:  The information/coordination component of the Global 
Change Research Program serves as a scientific interface through which 
technical information can be obtained, evaluated, quality-assured, and 
distributed; the exchange of data among scientists and between scientists and 
policy makers can be promoted and facilitated; and high-quality analyses of 
complex data can be performed to synthesize information used in evaluating 
environmental issues. Specific objectives of the information/coordination 
component include promotion of networking among members of the global 
change community, preparation of technical and informational reports, and 
sponsorship of scientific conferences. The Global Change Research Program 
provides access to current global-change information and data through the 
Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC), which quality-assures, 
fully documents, archives, and distributes critical numeric data bases and 
computer models, distributes technical publications, and produces newsletters 
and research summaries. CDIAC also responds to inquiries from an audience 
representing broad interests for information on a wide variety of global-
change topics. CDIAC's scope includes the many dimensions of the issue of 
climate change induced by greenhouse gases, including biogeochemical cycles, 
atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, effects of elevated 
atmospheric CO2 on vegetation, coastal vulnerability to rising sea level, and
climate.

STAKEHOLDERS:  The Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center 
considers its primary users to be basic researchers generating and needing raw 
data, personnel doing integrated assessments needing multi-disciplinary, 
often derived, data, and decision-makers needing concise summaries of 
complex information.  In recent years, as attention to global climate change 
has increased, an increasing number of students and citizens have used and 
requested CDIAC's products and services.  CDIAC's staff addresses thousands 
of requests yearly for data and information resources.  For example, in the 
first half of FY1993 CDIAC filled 514 requests for numeric data packages from 
46 countries and over 300 individuals accessed CDIAC to retrieve 8500 data 
and computer model files.  The CDIAC works with other national and 
international data centers as well as individual researchers to promote and 
facilitate the exchange of data.  The CDIAC was also recently named the 
World Data Center-A for Atmospheric Trace Gases.

SHORT-TERM POLICY PAYOFFS:  The Global Change Research Program 
explores scientific issues that are comprehensive and complex.  The need for 
effective communication among scientists,  policymakers, educators, 
students, corporate officials, and the interested public is vital.  The CDIAC 
supports the informational, and not just data, needs of the CO2 community.  
As do other data centers, the CDIAC performs standard repository functions 
for research-generated data and serves as the sole central repository for many 
data sets.  The CDIAC has been recognized for its ability to quality-assure and 
fully document data bases and offers outstanding user services.  In addition, it 
often creates derived data sets and products needed to address complex issues 
by integrating data across disciplines.

PROGRAM CONTACT:  Thomas J. Gross, DOE, ER-74, Washington, DC 
20585, 301-903-3316