Introduction to the Data Policies Forum
Since the beginning of the U.S. Global Change Research Program,
USGCRP, about a decade ago, the critical importance of data and
information for developing an understanding of the dynamic and changing
planet on which we live has been well recognized. This recognition has
led not only to policies for the "full and open" access to needed data
and information but for its being put into useful forms, made findable
and accessible, and archived for use by future generations. A major
access initiative has been the interagency Global Change Data and
Information System on the World Wide Web at http://globalchange.gov/
Over this period, the success of the USGCRP coupled with new
technologies such as the Internet has created a broad and growing
spectrum of users for such data and information. Included now are not
just the research community but policymakers, educators, not for profit
entities, and commercial as well as an expanding international
community of users. Serving the needs all these types of new users,
particularly commercial interests that see a potential ability to sell
data and information because of its developing potential value, is
presenting continuing data policy challenges. Included in these
challenges is the developing tension between full and open access
policies and the protectionist desires of at least some commercial and
nationalistic communities. The challenges must be resolved if the full
and open "goose that laid the golden egg" for all these communities and
helped spawn the "Information Age" is not to be severely crippled or
killed.
It is such policy developments for which this page aims to help keep
informed the total USGCRP related (global climate, environment, etc.)
user communities. With the references given, however, the depth of
feelings and struggles between the largely separate communities as well
as the importance of the potential societal impacts is difficult to see
but should not be overlooked. These impacts could be felt not just in
the U.S., but worldwide, not just by experts but by the general
public.
