National Academies Press: OpenBook

Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences (2001)

Chapter: Front Matter

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×

Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences

Committee on Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences

Oversight Commission for the Committee on Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences

National Research Council

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
Washington, D.C.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
2101 Constitution Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20418

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This project was supported by Grant No. DBI-9806286 between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the organizations or agencies that provided support for this project.

International Standard Book Number 0-309-07254-9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2001089192

Additional copies of this report are available from:

National Academy Press
2101 Constitution Ave., NW Box 285 Washington, DC 20055
800-624-6242 202-334-3313 (in the Washington metropolitan area) http://www.nap.edu

Copyright 2001 by the National Academy of Sciences . All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

National Academy of Sciences

National Academy of Engineering

Institute of Medicine

National Research Council

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. William A. Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth I. Shine is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. William A. Wulf are chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
This page in the original is blank.
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×

COMMITTEE ON GRAND CHALLENGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

T HOMAS E. G RAEDEL (Chair),

Yale University, New Haven, CT

A LICE A LLDREDGE,

University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

E RIC B ARRON ,

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

M ARGARET D AVIS ,

University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

C HRISTOPHER F IELD ,

Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford, CA

B ARUCH F ISCHHOFF ,

Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

R OBERT F ROSCH ,

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

S TEVEN G ORELICK ,

Stanford University, Stanford, CA

E LISABETH A. H OLLAND ,

National Center for Atmospheric Research

D ANIEL K REWSKI ,

University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

R OBERT J. N AIMAN ,

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

E LINOR O STROM ,

Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

M ICHAEL R OSENZWEIG ,

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

V ERNON W. R UTTAN ,

University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

E LLEN K. S ILBERGELD ,

University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

E DWARD S TOLPER ,

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

B.L. T URNER II,

Clark University, Worcester, MA

Staff

D AVID P OLICANSKY , Project Director

P AUL C. S TERN , Senior Program Officer

L AURIE G ELLER , Program Officer

R ONA B RIERE , Editor

L EAH L. P ROBST , Senior Project Assistant

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×

OVERSIGHT COMMISSION FOR THE COMMITTEE ON GRAND CHALLENGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

G EORGE H ORNBERGER (Chair),

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

P ETER B ANKS ,

ERIM International, Ann Arbor, MI

K ENNETH B RINK ,

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA

R ALPH J. C ICERONE ,

University of California, Irvine, CA

M ICHAEL C LEGG ,

University of California, Riverside, CA

P AMELA A. M ATSON ,

Stanford University, Stanford, California

G ORDON O RIANS ,

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

F. S HERWOOD R OWLAND ,

University of California, Irvine, CA

K. A NNE S TREET ,

GEOCENTERS, Rockville, MD

Staff

R OBERT H AMILTON , Executive Director

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×

Preface

The relationship of our technological society with the environment has become a central topic of discussion in the academic world, in society at large, and even in U.S. presidential election campaigns. It is clear that the topic is of great importance; it is equally clear that the topic is complex and multifaceted, and has many aspects for which our current understanding is inadequate.

The National Science Foundation (NSF), long a supporter of research in the disciplinary sciences, has become a major supporter of the inherently interdisciplinary environmental sciences as well. In carrying out this role, NSF asked the National Research Council (NRC) to address the following question: “Of the many scientific challenges related to the environment, which few offer the greatest potential for investment; that is, what are the ‘grand challenges' in environmental science?” In response, the NRC established the Committee on Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences, comprising 17 members with a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds.

The committee met five times between January and October 1999 to solicit input, select the most compelling challenges, and formulate its recommendations. The diversity of specialization and expertise needed for this task was far greater than is the case for most NRC studies, and it is to the committee's credit that it was able to reach agreement on a small set of grand challenges and an even smaller set of immediate research investments. This volume presents the results of the committee's efforts.

The environmental sciences are not the sole purview of NSF. We anticipate that this report will be of interest as well to the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and other organi

Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×

zations both within and outside of government. I hope that all of these organizations will coordinate their support for the environmental sciences so the maximum progress will be achieved.

This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their technical expertise and diverse perspectives in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC's Report Review Committee for reviewing NRC and Institute of Medicine reports. The purpose of that independent review was to provide candid and critical comments to assist the NRC in making the published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their participation in the review of this report: Cynthia Beall, Case Western Reserve University; Kenneth Brink, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Ingrid Burke, Colorado State University; Robert Dickinson, Georgia Institute of Technology; Thomas Dietz, George Mason University; John Dowling, Harvard University; Theodore Geballe, Stanford University; Jack Gibbons, National Academy of Engineering; Bernard Goldstein, Rutgers University; William Graf, Arizona State University; Geoffrey Heal, Columbia University; George M. Hornberger, University of Virginia; Raymond Jeanloz, University of California, Berkeley; Pamela Matson, Stanford University; Judith E. McDowell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Hugh Morris, El Dorado Gold Corporation; Gilbert Omenn, University of Michigan; Gordon Orians, University of Washington; David Pilbeam, Harvard University; Henry Vaux, University of California; Thomas J. Wilbanks, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Eric Wood, Princeton University.

The individuals listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions. It must be emphasized, however, that responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the NRC.

The staff of the NRC has been particularly helpful in the deliberations of the committee and the preparation of this report. Leah Probst 's efforts in shepherding the multiple drafts and comments and in preparing the results for publication were vital. Laurie Geller and Paul Stern provided both intellectual and organizational contributions of great merit. The committee extends its highest commendation to David Policansky, whose knowledge of the environmental sciences and of the NRC and whose interpersonal abilities and diligence are exceptional and deeply appreciated.

Thomas E. Graedel, Ph.D.

Chair, Committee on Grand Challenges in the Environmental Sciences

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R1
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R2
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R3
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R4
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R5
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R6
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R7
Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R8
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R9
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9975.
×
Page R10
Next: Executive Summary »
Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences Get This Book
×
Buy Paperback | $48.00 Buy Ebook | $38.99
MyNAP members save 10% online.
Login or Register to save!
Download Free PDF

Scientists have long sought to unravel the fundamental mysteries of the land, life, water, and air that surround us. But as the consequences of humanity’s impact on the planet become increasingly evident, governments are realizing the critical importance of understanding these environmental systems—and investing billions of dollars in research to do so. To identify high-priority environmental science projects, Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences explores the most important areas of research for the next generation. The book’s goal is not to list the world’s biggest environmental problems. Rather it is to determine areas of opportunity that—with a concerted investment—could yield significant new findings. Nominations for environmental science’s “grand” challenges were solicited from thousands of scientists worldwide.

Based on their responses, eight major areas of focus were identified—areas that offer the potential for a major scientific breakthrough of practical importance to humankind, and that are feasible if given major new funding. The book further pinpoints four areas for immediate action and investment.

  1. ×

    Welcome to OpenBook!

    You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

    Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

    No Thanks Take a Tour »
  2. ×

    Show this book's table of contents, where you can jump to any chapter by name.

    « Back Next »
  3. ×

    ...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

    « Back Next »
  4. ×

    Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

    « Back Next »
  5. ×

    Switch between the Original Pages, where you can read the report as it appeared in print, and Text Pages for the web version, where you can highlight and search the text.

    « Back Next »
  6. ×

    To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter.

    « Back Next »
  7. ×

    Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

    « Back Next »
  8. ×

    View our suggested citation for this chapter.

    « Back Next »
  9. ×

    Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

    « Back Next »
Stay Connected!