Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The GCRIO offers the following products and services to its users:

• GCRIO acts as a clearinghouse for key documents and reports generated or sponsored by the U.S. Government or selected Federal Agencies that pertain to global change research, adaptation/mitigation strategies and technologies, and global change related educational resources. Many documents are placed on-line in their entirety.
• GCRIO operates Dr. Global Change a reference service designed to assist researchers, students, educators, decision makers and the general public find information and data relevant to global environmental change.
• GCRIO provides User Services for the interagency Global Change Data and Information System (GCDIS). The function complements the existing User Support functions already in place at the various Federal Agencies. Requests for data and information from GCDIS are managed by GCRIO User Services staff (see contact information at bottom of page) and forwarded to Agency contacts when appropriate.
• GCRIO performs outreach services to both domestic (Federal, state, and local) and international target audiences (including governments, institutions, researchers, educators, students, and the general public) in an effort to showcase relevant activities and results of the US Global Change Research Program and to help increase the awareness of the availability of data and information resources of the participating Federal Agencies.
• The GCRIO Web site provides access to selected bibliographic data bases; web sites at the participating Federal Agencies; relevant environmental data, catalog, and library systems; and a special section that deals with environmental education and research funding opportunities.

The quickest and easiest way to order a document that GCRIO distributes is to use our Online Catalog. You may also request documents by contacting GCRIO User Services using the information at the bottom of the page and providing us with your name, address, telephone, fax, email information, plus the title of the document(s) that you wish to order.

Most orders are mailed within one or two business days. Multiple copies or overseas distribution are mailed at the most economic rate.

You may see a list of titles and abstracts of the document holdings in the GCRIO Online Catalog.

GCRIO provides selected key documents on-line in full-text. The selection for on-line placement is usually made on the basis of importance to the USGCRP (e.g., the annual production of Our Changing Planet).

Organizations or individuals wishing to place a complete document within the GCRIO web space may contact the GCRIO User Services to obtain submission guidelines and selection criteria.

The Global Change Data and Information System (GCDIS) provides access to the global change related data and information sources and services of the participating Federal agencies through organized Internet-accessible interfaces. The GCRIO supports GCDIS through provision of User Services and Outreach services.

GCDIS Overview

The individual agency components of the GCDIS are funded through their respective budgets. There will neither be a lead agency nor a separately funded budget for the GCDIS. Interagency GCDIS implementation will be coordinated through the GCDIS Subgroup of the Data Management Working Group (DMWG) of the Subcommittee on Global Change Research (SGCR).

GCRIO Support of GCDIS User Services and Outreach

• Provision of expert staff personnel to assist users with GCDIS access system functions;
• Use of information outreach to users of products and services;
• Mechanism for obtaining and responding to user feedback;
• Ability to exchange information with User Service elements of other agencies/organizations.

GCRIO has defined an approach to User Services and Outreach that complements that functionality without duplicating any existing agency effort. Elements of the GCRIO approach include:

• Providing access and links to relevant global change related documentation generated and maintained by the various Federal Agencies or Organizations;
• Facilitating access to relevant global change-related data and information products generated and maintained by the various Federal Agencies or Organizations;
• Operating the Dr. Global Change service;
• Representing GCDIS at national and international meetings and conferences;

The GCRIO does not provide in-depth research services but serves more in the referral role and as the provider of on-line access to information systems and Web resources.

Yes we can. Check out the questions and answers from Dr. Global Change. If you don't find your answer, submit the question and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.

Teachers with on-line connections may access the GCRIO Web site for global change-related listservers, resource guides, and program brochures; information on education awards & grants; and other useful education resources. Teachers without on-line access may request educational resources by contacting GCRIO User Services by mail, phone or fax.

GCRIO User Services responds to requests by mail, phone or fax and can provide documents, referrals, etc. (see contact information at bottom of page)

The GCRIO maintains a list of Global Change Acronyms and Abbreviations.

Please phone, fax, or email a description of your problem or comment to GCRIO User Services.