Building a foundation for sound environmental decisions / Committee on Research Opportunities and Priorities for EPA, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Water Science and Technology Board, Commission on Geosciences, Environment, and Resources, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Research Opportunities and Priorities for EPA.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Environmental Protection Agency--Research.

United States.

Environmental sciences--Research--United States.

Environmental sciences.

Strategic planning--United States.

Strategic planning.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (103 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Over the past decades, environmental problems have attracted enormous attention and public concern. Many actions have been taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others to protect human health and ecosystems from particular threats. Despite some successes, many problems remain unsolved and new ones are emerging. Increasing population and related pressures, combined with a realization of the interconnectedness and complexity of environmental systems, present new challenges to policymakers and regulators. Scientific research has played, and will continue to play, an essential part in solving environmental problems. Decisions based on incorrect or incomplete understanding of environmental systems will not achieve the greatest reduction of risk at the lowest cost. This volume describes a framework for acquiring the knowledge needed both to solve current recognized problems and to be prepared for the kinds of problems likely to emerge in the future. Many case examples are included to illustrate why some environmental control strategies have succeeded where others have fallen short and how we can do better in the future.

Contents:

BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS

Copyright

Preface

Contents

BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS

Executive Summary

1 Environmental Challenges

SOLVING PROBLEMS

RECOGNIZING LIMITATIONS

COMPLEXITY, UNPREDICTABILITY, AND SURPRISE

EPA'S RESEARCH CHALLENGE

HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY

SCOPE OF THIS REPORT

2 Improving Our Understanding of Environmental Issues

IDENTIFYING CURRENT AND EMERGING PROBLEMS

A FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

CORE RESEARCH

Understanding Underlying Processes

Development of Innovative Tools

Acquisition and Dissemination of Data

IMPLEMENTING A CORE RESEARCH PROGRAM

3 Achieving a Focused Research Agenda

ANTICIPATING EMERGING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

IDENTIFYING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN NEED OF FOCUSED ATTENTION

CRITERIA FOR PRIORITIZING AMONG IDENTIFIED ISSUES

DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING RISK ASSESSMENT CAPABILITIES AT EPA

RETAINING FLEXIBILITY

4 EPA's Position in the Broader Environmental Research Enterprise

EPA'S ROLE IN RESEARCH

PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR

STRENGTHENING SCIENTIFIC CAPACITY AT EPA

IMPROVING COOPERATIVE DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION

5 Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

SUMMARY

CONCLUSIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

Approach to Research

Core Research Themes

Problem-Driven Research Themes

References

APPENDIXES

APPENDIX 1 Interim Report of the Committee on Research Opportunities and Priorities for EPA

INTRODUCTION

ROLE OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

SCOPE OF INTERIM REPORT

FUTURE GOALS FOR THIS STUDY

ASSESSMENT OF ORD'S ''NEW BEGINNING" AND STRATEGIC PLAN

Balance Between Long-term and Short-term Research

Working With Others

The Risk Paradigm

Risk Assessment Methodology.

Near-Term Research Priorities

Emerging Issues

Remaining Questions

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

APPENDIX 2 Reports Analyzed to Identify Priority Environmental Issues

APPENDIX 3 Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

Staff.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786610191536

9780309174770

0309174775

9781280191534

1280191538

9780309590709

0309590701

9780585021164

0585021163

OCLC:

42328825