Special session introduces solutions to global nitrogen challenge
New Tools and Policy Solutions to Tackle Global Disruption of the Nitrogen Cycle: AAAS session charts progress and opportunities on nitrogen management issues
WASHINGTON, DC-- A symposium of the nation’s leading thinkers in nitrogen science will report at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting on the recent scientific findings as well as the results of assessments at the state, national and international level that link nitrogen science, practice, and policy. At the AAAS session, “Global and Local Responses to the Nitrogen Challenge: Science, Practice, and Policy,” the panel of biologists, biogeochemists and economists will review policy responses aimed at addressing the challenge reactive nitrogen presents to human health and the environment, including a draft EPA Science Advisory Board report on nitrogen expected to be released this spring. Two new, practical tools geared toward agriculture and consumers will also be announced.
When: Saturday, February 19, 2011 - Press Briefing: 10am; Session: 1:30pm-4:30pm (EST)
Where: Press Briefing is in Room 202B; The Session will be in 140A (Washington Convention Center) 801 Mount Vernon Place Northwest Washington D.C., DC 20001-3614
Background materials are available at the AAAS virtual newsroom, where an audiobriefing of the press briefing will be posted at 12pm EST for reporters registered with EurekaAlert and/or the AAAS Annual Meeting.
Speakers and presentation titles
- Cheryl A. Palm, The Earth Institute, Columbia University: Nitrogen, Development, and Sustainability: Trade-Offs Between Too Little and Too Much
- James N. Galloway, University of Virginia: The Nitrogen Dilemma of the United States: A Case Study
- Cliff Snyder, International Plant Nutrition Institute: Nitrogen Stewardship: Balancing Crop Production Management and Environmental Protection
- Thomas P. Tomich, Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI) at UC Davis: A Framework for Action: Lessons from the California Nitrogen Assessment
- Alan R. Townsend, University of Colorado: Catch 22: The Nitrogen Cycle and Human Welfare
- Discussant: Eric A. Davidson, Woods Hole Research Center
- Moderator: Todd Rosenstock, Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis
Why: The
development of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer spurred modern prosperity and supported
the food, fiber, and biofuel demands of a growing population. But in the last 50 years, a dramatic increase
in the use of fertilizer and fossil fuels has been matched by an equally
dramatic rise in nitrogen pollution. Though reactive nitrogen is necessary to grow
food, fiber and biofuel crops, much of it eventually escapes to the environment
- in the atmosphere or in groundwater, freshwater, or ocean ecosystems. There,
it can cause a suite of environmental and health problems including climate
change, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Learn more at Nitrogen News.
Contacts:
Todd Rosenstock, Agriculture Sustainability Institute, UC Davis, trosenstock@ucdavis.edu. 530-752-5085
Colin Bishop, Agriculture Sustainability Institute, UC Davis, cbishop@ucdavis.edu. 530-752-5299
