Environmental futures research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Robert L. Olson

Treesearch

Environmental futures research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Robert L. Olson

Year:

2012

Type:

Proceedings - Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: Bengston, David N., comp. 2012. Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-107. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 66-77.

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Abstract

Relatively little research on environmental futures has been carried out in the United States. An exception is the long-running futures research that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been conducting since the 1970s. This paper reviews past and current efforts toward developing a capacity for environmental foresight within the EPA, and discusses some lessons for other agencies and institutions concerned with the future of the environment.

Parent Publication

Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities

Keywords

strategic foresight, scenarios, trends, forecasting, change, environmental scanning

Citation

Olson, Robert L. 2012. Environmental futures research at the US Environmental Protection Agency. In: Bengston, David N., comp. 2012. Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-107. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 66-77.