A proposal to create a National Institute for the Environment (NIE)

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 UTC 1994 · Environmental Professional

OSTI ID:118655

Global deforestation. Climate change. Biodiversity loss. Resource exhaustion. Rapid population growth. These few examples indicate the broad scope of serious environmental problems that are becoming more critical and complex each year. They will dominate the geopolitical, economic, and social agendas of the nation and the world during this decade and into the next century. Their importance was emphasized by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, the largest meeting of heads of state in history. Science and technology have a critical role to play in confronting these issues. But the nation`s decision-makers often do not have the scientific information they need to find long-term, cost effective solutions. There is a lack of information about the environment, how human activities interact with the environment, and how to balance economic growth and environmental protection to ensure sustainable development. To attach the serious national and global environmental challenges, the authors propose creating a new Nation Institute for the Environment (NIE) that differs in fundamental ways from existing environmental agencies. The mission of this new institute will be to improve the scientific basis for making decisions on environmental issues.

• OSTI ID: 118655
• Journal Information: Environmental Professional, Journal Name: Environmental Professional Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 16; ISSN 0191-5398; ISSN EPROD9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
INFORMATION NEEDS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PLANNING