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global change will require at least a decade and probably more 

 of accurate global monitoring of atmospheric and sea 

 temperature, the concentration and distributions of radiatively 

 active gases, vulcanism and aerosols, solar and terrestrial 

 radiation fluxes, ice masses and sea level. Existing global 

 observing and monitoring programs must be sustained and new 

 commitments made. 



In 1983, the NRC conducted a workshop and published its 

 report entitled, "Toward an International Geosphere-Biosphere 

 Program, A Study of Global Change." It examined all the 

 elements of the sun-earth system as an interactive complex and 

 the participants endorsed the concept of an interdisciplinary 

 program to be conducted on a global scale under international 

 auspices. In the same year, the ICSU Executive Board authorized 

 a one day symposium on the subject of "Global Change" to be held 

 in conjunction with the 20th ICSU General Assembly, September 

 24, 1984, in Ottawa. 



The design of that Symposium followed the 1983 NRC study 

 report. Enthusiastic support on the occasion led the ICSU 

 assembly to establish an ad hoc planning committee that was 

 charged with encouraging the full panoply of ICSU unions and 

 special committees to study their proper roles in an IGBP and 

 with assessing the feasibility of launching a program. 



An NRC committee for the International Geosphere-Biosphere 

 Program was established with support from NASA, NOAA, USGS, NSF 



