Presents the base of knowledge needed to address the questions surrounding the unknown impacts of climate change. Outlines a new approach to understanding the interactions between climate, society and the environment. Includes: key concepts and terms; the effects of climate around the world; important but overlooked aspects of climate-society-environmental interactions; examples of societal uses, misuses, and potential uses of climate-related information such as forecasts; a reasearch agenda, challenges, and methodologies for future climate research.