During the 1st Third Pole Environment Workshop on August 15-16 in Beijing, the main themes for scientific investigation were discussed. These subjects are currently being formulated into a science plan by the program leaders. More details regarding specific areas of study will be added in the future, with the formulation of science plan anticipated by March 2010. Processes and interactions relevant to such topics will be of central importance as water-ice-air-ecology-human interactions, hazards control, prevention and early warning systems, and human adaptation and social sustainability.