Research and the Environment

What do scientific research and concern over our physical environment have to do with one another? There are at least two levels on which these two phenomena interact. The first is the ways in which scientific researchers in any field affect their physical environment as they carry out their research, and the ways they should be conscious of the environmental impact of the research they conduct. The second relates to the subject matter addressed by scientific research: scientists can and often do choose areas of research for which the end products of the research can have an influence on the environment. We'll discuss these two interactions in turn.

• Environmental Impact of the Conduct of Research

  We have met the enemy, and he is us! -- Pogo

  • Inputs
    • Depletion of raw materials (not always bad!)
    • Destruction of natural habitats
    • Environmental impact of work done by suppliers

  • Activity
    • Power consumption
    • Risk of accidents (fire, explosion, release of pathogens)
    • Land allocation

  • Outputs
    • Wastes (metals, CFCs, etc.)
    • Bioactive residues
    • Paper consumption

  Science's negative impact is generally small. But we aren't exempt for society's generalized concerns about how we conduct our work!

• The Role of Research in Improving the Environment

  Scientists have an opportunity to play a role in preserving or improving the physical environment.

  • Choosing a subject
    • Given a choice of subjects to pursue, can a budding scientist focus on those that might yield positive impacts on the physical environment?
    • Basic research as well as applied research can qualify
    • Science in the private sector can qualify
    • Few major disiplines are inherently irrelevant; be creative.

  • Recognizing changes
    • Inherited experience may not carry over unmodified into a new era
    • Example I: greenhouse gases
    • Example II: nitrogen fixation

  • Interdisciplinary studies
    • Environmental science is inherently multidisciplinary
    • Recognizing subtle connections is beneficial
    • Education: restructuring curricula, continuing ed