Recent Reports & Studies: NSF: Environmental Science & Engineering for the 21st Century

"How we view -- and treat -- the environment is a critical question for the 21st century," begins the letter from Eamon Kelly, chair of the National Science Board, that accompanies Environmental Science and Engineering for the 21st Century: The Role of the National Science Foundation. The study outlines the scope of the $600 million in current NSF environmental activities and conveys policy guidance for NSF to design a future $1.6 billion portfolio of programs and initiatives. Twelve recommendations are described in detail, including, in addition to the increased funding for NSF: 

• Creating a "suite of environmental research and education hubs, on the scale of present Science & Technology Centers and Engineering Research Centers" 
• Establishing a highly-visible, NSF-wide organizational focal point 
• Supporting educational activities and proposals that capitalize on student environmental interests 
• Enhancing and expanding disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and long-term environmental research 
• Increasing research on scientific assessment for prioritizing research investments and for use in policy-and decision-making 
• "Vigorously" supporting research on environmental technologies and enabling technologies 
• Leading efforts to develop a digital environmental information network 
• Implementing interagency, domestic and international partnerships that correspond to the location, scale and nature of environmental issues. 

Copies of the report can be downloaded from NSF at: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsb0022