Environmental Indicators for North America


Book Description

Although the environment of North America is not dissected by political borders, Canada and the United States often measure environmental conditions and report on them using different indicators. This report examines the environmental indicators used by both nations, and based on analysis of current research into common methodologies used in national, regional and global environmental reporting, it goes on to draw lessons for the development of bilateral indicators to cover the North American region.













A Report on Canada's Progress Towards a National Set of Environmental Indicators


Book Description

Environmental indicators, like economic indicators, are important tools for translating quantities of data into succinct information that can be readily understood and used by decision makers and the general public. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has taken the first step in leading an international initiative to develop a series of indicators and Canada is beginning to work on developing a similar series. This report presents a brief overview of efforts now underway to develop consistent, reliable indicators to measure the quality of our environment, the stresses placed on it, and the steps taken to prevent or reduce those stresses.




Linking Science and Technology to Society's Environmental Goals


Book Description

Where should the United States focus its long-term efforts to improve the nation's environment? What are the nation's most important environmental issues? What role should science and technology play in addressing these issues? Linking Science and Technology to Society's Environmental Goals provides the current thinking and answers to these questions. Based on input from a range of experts and interested individuals, including representatives of industry, government, academia, environmental organizations, and Native American communities, this book urges policymakers to: Use social science and risk assessment to guide decision-making. Monitor environmental changes in a more thorough, consistent, and coordinated manner. Reduce the adverse impact of chemicals on the environment. Move away from the use of fossil fuels. Adopt an environmental approach to engineering that reduces the use of natural resources. Substantially increase our understanding of the relationship between population and consumption. This book will be of special interest to policymakers in government and industry; environmental scientists, engineers, and advocates; and faculty, students, and researchers.




Linking Science and Technology to Society's Environmental Goals


Book Description

Where should the United States focus its long-term efforts to improve the nation's environment? What are the nation's most important environmental issues? What role should science and technology play in addressing these issues? Linking Science and Technology to Society's Environmental Goals provides the current thinking and answers to these questions. Based on input from a range of experts and interested individuals, including representatives of industry, government, academia, environmental organizations, and Native American communities, this book urges policymakers to Use social science and risk assessment to guide decisionmaking. Monitor environmental changes in a more thorough, consistent, and coordinated manner. Reduce the adverse impact of chemicals on the environment. Move away from the use of fossil fuels. Adopt an environmental approach to engineering that reduces the use of natural resources. Substantially increase our understanding of the relationship between population and consumption. This book will be of special interest to policymakers in government and industry; environmental scientists, engineers, and advocates; and faculty, students, and researchers.










State of the Environment Reporting


Book Description

Good environmental information is essential for effective sustainable development policy-making and action planning. Accurate information increases the chances for correct decisions. This does not guarantee a healthier environment, but its absence seriously impedes decisions which would lead to a sustainable future. Ideally, local, sectoral, corporate, national, regional, and global reports should complement one other, using, for example, common spatial units and databases. In reality comprehensive and integrated information is often not available for today's decision makers. The Source Book is designed to help to harmonize environmental reporting by encouraging the development of standard methods, practices, and terminology. It evaluates and compares alternative approaches for the development, production, and dissemination of environmental information, and combines the collective experience of environmental reporting, covering all aspects of reporting from user needs to data supply.