This Plan represents our assessment of the highest priority opportunities for NOAA to contribute substantially to the advancement of society. The availability and quality of fresh water, the exposure of people and communities to high impact weather, stresses of urbanization of the coasts, the exploitation of ocean and coastal resources, and above all the pervasive effects of climate change on society and the environment —- these are the central challenges we must face if we are to improve human welfare and sustain the ecosystems upon which we depend. These are the challenges that define NOAA’s strategic goals. Through the concerted efforts of NOAA and many other organizations, we can navigate our way toward a future where people, communities, and ecosystems prosper and are resilient in the face of change.