Revisions to the Scientific Agenda

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) proposed revisions to its Scientific Agenda during its 27th Conference of the Parties in 2019. The agenda is structured around four main research foci: climate change and variability, comparative studies of ecosystems and biodiversity, the chemical composition of the atmosphere and waters, and the human dimensions and policy implications of global change. These revisions aim to enhance transdisciplinary research and address the specific biogeographical needs of the Americas.

• The IAI Scientific Agenda is designed to be dynamic and evolving, as stipulated in Article III of the Agreement establishing the Institute. It has transitioned from an initial set of 7 research areas to 4 consolidated topical areas, which were further refined in 2003 and again during the 2018-2019 intersessional period to better reflect "the transdisciplinary nature of science supported by the IAI".
• The revised IAI Scientific Agenda is organized into four primary research foci: 1. Understanding Climate Change and Variability in the Americas: Focuses on observing and predicting causes of climate variability and change, including Tropical Atlantic Variability (TAV), El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the American Monsoon systems. 2. Assessing Comparative Studies of Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Land Use and Cover, and Water Resources in the Americas: Focuses on the effects of Global Environmental Change on natural and anthropogenic systems across tropical, temperate, and cold latitude systems. 3. Understanding Global Change Modulations of the Composition of the Atmosphere, Oceans and Fresh Waters: Focuses on processes modifying chemical compositions that affect productivity and human welfare, including air pollution and ozone depletion. 4. Understanding the Human Dimensions and Policy Implications of Global Change, Climate Variability and Land Use: Focuses on the interaction between global change and human beings, specifically regarding health, food security, and the sustainability of natural and human systems.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2019). Revisions to the Scientific Agenda. https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-27-11-en_0.pdf

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Revisions to the Scientific Agenda. 2019. https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-27-11-en_0.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=Revisions to the Scientific Agenda |date=15 March 2019 |url=https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-27-11-en_0.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2019revisions, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{Revisions to the Scientific Agenda}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2019}, month = mar, url = {https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-27-11-en_0.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }