IACERE: The Inter-American Program on Comparative Ecosystems and Regional Economies is a collaborative research and training endeavor designed to facilitate cooperation within a network of institutions in the Americas which have a common interest in the regional impact of global change. This is an opportune area of study to integrate, collaborate and engage in team research across disciplines and fields to build an inter-American comparative ecosystem and science network. Through the establishment of the network, the program will institutionalize channels of communication and exchange of research and help to contribute to the "lateralism" that will be necessary for the understanding of basic concepts by all participants.