The Board on Environmental Change and Society (BECS) will be responsible for NRC programs that build understanding of human interactions with the biophysical environment; contribute to the development of a coherent field of scientific endeavor in this area; integrate social and behavioral science research into environmental science and policy; advance the behavioral, social, and decision sciences; and provide benefits to society through the application of these sciences to human-environment interactions. BECS will be proactive in seeking collaboration with Boards and Committees throughout the NRC that have technical expertise in areas that intersect with the interests of BECS in promoting the integration of the contributions of the social sciences with those of other sciences and technologies as the NAS advises the nation about the causes and consequences of environmental change and informs environmental decisions.

In this context, the role of BECS will encompass strategic planning, program development, and oversight of NRC studies and other activities initiated under the auspices of the board. In executing its charge, the BECS will: (1) maintain surveillance of the field and explore the state of knowledge in selected areas judged to be of particular importance as a basis for the development of prospective NRC studies and other activities; (2) provide a venue for contact and communication among basic and applied researchers in the United States and abroad; (3) interest scientists outside the field of human-environmental sciences in conducting basic research relevant to major theoretical and methodological issues; (4) respond to requests from sponsors for guidance and advice from the NRC on specific problems or issues relating to their programs; and (5) serve as the U.S. National Committee for the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change.