Findings and Recommendations - Science For Environmental Protection: The Road Ahead - page 176

Complex Challenges for the Future Complex Challenges for the Future

Problem Formulation
 Hypothesis Generation
 Needs Assessment
 Technical Approaches

Problem Formulation
 Hypothesis Generation
 Needs Assessment
 Technical Approaches

Analysis of Key Measures to Advance Knowledge Analysis of Key Measures to Advance Knowledge

Knowledge
 Environmental Fate
 Impacts
 Population Health
 Exposure and Dose
 Mechanism and Mode of Action
 Implications
 Costs
 Feedback
 Behaviors
 Decision Options

Knowledge
 Environmental Fate
 Impacts
 Population Health
 Exposure and Dose
 Mechanism and Mode of Action
 Implications
 Costs
 Feedback
 Behaviors
 Decision Options

Data Acquisition
 Ecologic
 Biologic
 Physical
 Chemical
 Epidemiologic
 Socioeconomic
 Behavioral
 Informatics

Data Acquisition
 Ecologic
 Biologic
 Physical
 Chemical
 Epidemiologic
 Socioeconomic
 Behavioral
 Informatics

Data Modeling,
Analysis, and
Synthesis

Data Modeling,
Analysis, and
Synthesis

Outcomes
 Balanced Informed Decisions
 Improved Health
 Cleaner Environment
 Lower Costs

Outcomes
 Balanced Informed Decisions
 Improved Health
 Cleaner Environment
 Lower Costs

Systems Thinking to Assess Implications of Decisions
Applying Science that Anticipates, Innovates, Takes the Long View, Is Collaborative

Systems Thinking to Assess Implications of Decisions
Applying Science that Anticipates, Innovates, Takes the Long View, Is Collaborative

Translation and
Communication

Translation and
Communication

Systems Tools and Skills
 Life-Cycle Assessment
 Cumulative Risk Assessment
 Social, Economic, Behavioral,
and Decision Sciences
 Synthesis Research

Systems Tools and Skills
 Life-Cycle Assessment
 Cumulative Risk Assessment
 Social, Economic, Behavioral,
and Decision Sciences
 Synthesis Research

Synthesis and Evaluation
 Sustainability Analysis
 Solution-Oriented Approaches
 Multiple-Criteria and
Multidimensional Tools
 Uncertainty

Synthesis and Evaluation
 Sustainability Analysis
 Solution-Oriented Approaches
 Multiple-Criteria and
Multidimensional Tools
 Uncertainty

Applications, Decisions,
and Actions
 Policy
 Regulation
 Social Change

Applications, Decisions,
and Actions
 Policy
 Regulation
 Social Change

FIGURE 6-1 Framework for enhanced science for environmental protection. The iterative process starts with effective problem formulation, in
which policy goals and an orientation toward solutions help to determine scientific needs and the most appropriate methods. Data are acquired
as needed and synthesized to generate knowledge about key outcomes. This knowledge is incorporated into an array of systems tools and solu-
tions-orineted synthesis approaches to formulate policies that best improve public health and the environment while taking account of social
and economic impacts. Once science-informed actions have been implemented, outcome evaluation can help determine whether refinements to
any previous stages are required (see the dotted lines in the figure).