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Press Release
09-035
Scientists to Study Interactions among
Earth's Environment, Society and the Economy
Directorates for geosciences and social, behavioral & economic sciences
release Dear Colleague letter encouraging increased research
February 26, 2009, Humans have contributed to widespread changes in the
environment, according to scientists. Now we will need to adapt to both
predicted and unexpected such changes, they state.
The role, pace and impact of regional and local environmental change will need
to be factored into human decision processes, with careful attention paid to
uncertainties, say Tim Killeen, National Science Foundation (NSF) assistant
director for geosciences, and David Lightfoot, NSF assistant director for
social, behavioral & economic sciences.
To identify the strategies best suited to cover replacement costs for lost
services, or recover from the effects of natural hazards, it's important to
compare the impacts of various mitigation efforts, such as those for carbon
management like "cap and trade" programs, say Killeen and Lightfoot.
To factor valuation of "ecosystem services"--what Earth's resources offer
humans--into economic activities in a way that provides critically important
information about land and water use, NSF's Directorates for Geosciences (GEO)
and Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences (SBE) have announced a focus on the
impacts of humans and our economy on the environment.
The Directorates have issued a Dear Colleague Letter to the scientific
community encouraging increased research, jointly supported by core programs
in GEO and SBE, on the links among environment, society and the economy.
Especially sought are projects that address such areas as the impacts and
adaptation of economic systems; the role of incentives in human behavior;
environmental change and its impact on the evolution of human behavior; the
interplay of environmental change and inequality of income and access to
resources; and overcoming economic and political difficulties in implementing
science-based mitigation strategies.
"Climate change will have significant impacts on many aspects of the Earth
system," says Killeen, "including carbon sequestration, water and air
purification, fisheries and agricultural production and species habitats. Some
climate-induced changes will occur gradually, while others will be abrupt."
Adds Lightfoot, "Models show that changes in climate will greatly affect
coastal regions, many of which have large urban populations. Climate change
may alter the duration and magnitude of monsoonal rainfalls and river
flooding. Communities will have to respond appropriately to these new
stresses."
These effects and many others, Killeen and Lightfoot state, have direct
bearing on economic and policy decisions confronting individuals, groups,
firms and governments at local, regional, national and global levels.
-NSF-
Media Contacts
Cheryl Dybas, NSF (703) 292-7734 cdybas@nsf.gov
Related Websites
NSF Directorate for Geosciences: http://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=GEO
NSF Directorate for Social, Economic & Behavioral Sciences: http://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=SBE
NSF Dear Colleague Letter: Environment, Society, and the Economy: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503387
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that
supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and
engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06 billion. NSF funds reach all 50
states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year,
NSF receives about 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over
11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional
and service contracts yearly.
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