The USGCRP is the larger program under which research on rapid climate shifts is conducted. It is the immediate, local context for research on rapid shifts and thus affects that research. The USGCRP is large in many dimensions: it has a global scope; has billions of dollars in funding; involves many agencies, disciplines, and investigators; is building several satellites and a data system at a billion dollars each; and will last more than two decades. Given the construction times of large satellites, the characteristic time of the program may be longer than that of a climate shift. In a time of constrained resources such large funding means two things. One, the program will attract attention and results will be expected [Economist, 1994]. Two, other programs will not be implemented. This is happening in NASA where growth in funding for NASA's part of the USGCRP, e.g., the space-based Earth Observing System (EOS) and its ground-based information system, is limiting funds for space science. To justify such support the USGCRP promises ``usable information'' and ``credible prediction'' of future climate [Pielke, Jr., 1994].