An ad hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will undertake a study that develops a compelling vision for a systems approach to studying the Earth and identifies facilities, infrastructure, coordinating mechanisms, computing, and workforce development needed to support that vision. All major components of the Earth system will be considered—including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and the individuals, institutions, and technologies that respond to and influence these dynamics—as will their interactions and feedbacks through time. With input from virtual and in-person workshops and lessons learned from previous and current approaches to integrated research at NSF, the committee also will provide advice on how NSF can support the research community in meeting the vision and identifying overarching capabilities needed to support a systems approach to studying the Earth.

The committee’s report will:

1. Describe the potential value and key characteristics of a robust, integrated approach for studying the Earth system.
2. Discuss emerging opportunities and barriers to progress for achieving this vision, including consideration of the interdependencies and synergies among all components.
3. Identify potential synergistic opportunities within current facilities, infrastructure, and coordinating mechanisms to address the overarching capabilities, and recommend ways to leverage these efforts for Earth systems research. Ideas for new facilities, infrastructure, and coordinating mechanisms may also be considered.
4. Discuss computational, data, and analytic support for Earth systems research, including guidance on harnessing existing, planned, and future NSF-supported cyberinfrastructure.
5. Discuss workforce development to support the personnel needed to advance Earth systems research. This could include undergraduate and graduate education, technical training to support facilities and infrastructure, and increasing diversity in the future workforce. This will draw upon scholarship related to workforce development and broadening participation to consider new and existing approaches.