Science and Technology for Sustainability (STS) Program

The National Academies' Science and Technology for Sustainability Program (STS) in the division of Policy and Global Affairs was established to encourage the use of science and technology to achieve long term sustainable development.  The goal of the STS program is to contribute to sustainable improvements in human well-being by creating and strengthening the strategic connections between scientific research, technological development, and decision-making. The program concentrates on activities with the following attributes:

• Cross-cutting in nature, requiring expertise from multiple disciplines;
• Important both in the United States and internationally;
• Effectively addressed via cooperation among multiples sectors, including academia, government, industry, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).                                                                                  

News

Meeting Recap: What about the Blend Wall? (2010)
On April 8, 2010, the National Academies’ Science and Technology for Sustainability (STS) Program hosted an informal working meeting to discuss emerging issues associated with the production and use of higher level ethanol blends—beyond E-10. The meeting was held in conjunction with the publication of the summary of a June 2009 workshop examining the environmental, economic and social impacts of expanding biofuel production in the Upper Midwest. An issue raised at the June workshop now receiving increased attention is the possibility that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allow higher ethanol blend levels in gasoline. Attached is recap of the dialogue from that meeting. 


Current Activities

Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability 
Established in 2003, the STS Roundtable provides a forum for sharing views, information, and analysis related to harnessing science and technology for sustainability. Members of the Roundtable include senior decision-makers from government, industry, academia, and non-profit organizations who deal with issues of sustainable development, and who are in a position to mobilize new strategies for sustainability. 

Network for Emerging Leaders in Sustainability (NELS)   
Launched in 2008, NELS is a series of events for early career professionals from federal and local agencies, the National Research Council, NGOs, private sector and foundations, in the Washington DC area. The Network includes leaders with diverse backgrounds and expertise, from natural resource management to energy policy to public health. Through NELS, these emerging leaders foster relationships that enable them to more effectively bring about a sustainable future.