Answering the Big Answering the Big QuestionsQuestions

Food, Water & Energy Resources Policy Food, Water & Energy Resources Policy SymposiumSymposium

University of NebraskaUniversity of NebraskaApril 13, 2011April 13, 2011

Answering the Big Answering the Big QuestionsQuestions

Food, Water & Energy Resources Policy Food, Water & Energy Resources Policy SymposiumSymposium

University of NebraskaUniversity of NebraskaApril 13, 2011April 13, 2011

Kathie L. Olsen, Ph.D.Kathie L. Olsen, Ph.D.Founder, Managing Director Founder, Managing Director

ScienceWorksScienceWorksAffiliate Professor of Neuroscience Affiliate Professor of Neuroscience

Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University

Kathie L. Olsen, Ph.D.Kathie L. Olsen, Ph.D.Founder, Managing Director Founder, Managing Director

ScienceWorksScienceWorksAffiliate Professor of Neuroscience Affiliate Professor of Neuroscience

Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University

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Humanity’s Top Ten ProblemsHumanity’s Top Ten Problemsfor next 50 years* for next 50 years* Humanity’s Top Ten ProblemsHumanity’s Top Ten Problemsfor next 50 years* for next 50 years*

1.1. ENERGYENERGY

2.2. WATERWATER

3.3. FOODFOOD

4.4. ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT

5.5. POVERTYPOVERTY

6.6. TERRORISM & WARTERRORISM & WAR

7.7. DISEASEDISEASE

8.8. EDUCATIONEDUCATION

9.9. DEMOCRACYDEMOCRACY

10.10. POPULATIONPOPULATION

Richard Smalley, Noble Laureate, Richard Smalley, Noble Laureate, Rice University*Rice University*

1.1. ENERGYENERGY

2.2. WATERWATER

3.3. FOODFOOD

4.4. ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT

5.5. POVERTYPOVERTY

6.6. TERRORISM & WARTERRORISM & WAR

7.7. DISEASEDISEASE

8.8. EDUCATIONEDUCATION

9.9. DEMOCRACYDEMOCRACY

10.10. POPULATIONPOPULATION

Richard Smalley, Noble Laureate, Richard Smalley, Noble Laureate, Rice University*Rice University*

2003 6.3 Billion People2050 9-10 Billion People

Need both the “stovepipes”But even more importantly theCONNECTIONS/INTEGRATION

Major role of university in solvingthese major societal challenges

WATER AVAILABILITY AND QUALITYWATER AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY

Agriculture IrrigationClimate ChangeEnergyDemographicsAllocation EconomicsSustainabilitySecurity

Fishing SwimmingDrinkingHabitatRecreationBiological integrity

National Science & Technology (NSTC) SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATERNational Science & Technology (NSTC) SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER AVAILABILITY AND QUALITYAVAILABILITY AND QUALITY

Co-ChairsCo-Chairs: USGS & EPA: USGS & EPA

PurposePurpose: Science issues and policy related to needed improvements : Science issues and policy related to needed improvements in technology and research that will advance the goal of ensuring a safein technology and research that will advance the goal of ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of water in the United Statesand sustainable supply of water in the United States for human and ecological needs.for human and ecological needs.

“Are the supplies of water for human and ecological uses sustainable for decades into the future? If not, how might we develop new supplies or better manage for sustainability? “Questions addressed by NSTC Subcommittee

On Water Availability & Quality, OSTP, Presentation2003

IntegratedEarth

ObservingSystem

IntegratedEarth

ObservingSystem

Satellite Remote Sensing Data

Aircraft Remote Sensing Data

In Situ Data Sensors Aircraft Balloons Moored & drifting buoys Ships & Submarines

MAJOR WORKING GROUP ON WATER

IOOS: Artist ‘s depiction of various spaceair, and water platforms as Part off the IOOS

- IdeasIdeas- ConceptsConcepts- PlanningPlanning- Capability Capability developmendevelopmentt

- IdeasIdeas- ConceptsConcepts- PlanningPlanning- Capability Capability developmendevelopmentt

- PrioritiesPriorities- BudgetBudget- Strategic Strategic PlanningPlanning- DECISIONSDECISIONS

- PrioritiesPriorities- BudgetBudget- Strategic Strategic PlanningPlanning- DECISIONSDECISIONS

Top downTop down(Agency management, OMB, Congress)(Agency management, OMB, Congress)

Bottom’s upBottom’s up(academia, industry, (academia, industry,

agency S&E personnel)agency S&E personnel)

The Program Decision ProcessThe Program Decision Process

Establishing Program Establishing Program PrioritiesPrioritiesEstablishing Program Establishing Program PrioritiesPriorities

Science ReturnScience Return

Benefit to SocietyBenefit to Society

Mandated ProgramMandated Program

Appropriate for Appropriate for supportsupport

govt, state, govt, state, private private

Partnership Partnership OpportunityOpportunity

Technology ReadinessTechnology Readiness

Program Balance Program Balance

Cost/Budget ContextCost/Budget Context

Science ReturnScience Return

Benefit to SocietyBenefit to Society

Mandated ProgramMandated Program

Appropriate for Appropriate for supportsupport

govt, state, govt, state, private private

Partnership Partnership OpportunityOpportunity

Technology ReadinessTechnology Readiness

Program Balance Program Balance

Cost/Budget ContextCost/Budget Context

Implementation Priority Implementation Priority CriteriaCriteriaImplementation Priority Implementation Priority CriteriaCriteria

Science Priority Science Priority CriteriaCriteriaScience Priority Science Priority CriteriaCriteria

NSF: Water InitiativeNSF: Water Initiative

Water Sustainability & Climate•Interdisciplinary Approach

•BIO•GEO: Earth Science•SBE•ENG

2008 Water Science ForumPractical Cutting-Edge Technology for

Water Services:Applications in Africa

UNESCO

USGov

NSF STC & ERC

““Water is a Precious Water is a Precious Resource*Resource*Jeff Raikes, Jeff Raikes, CEO, Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationCEO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

““Water is a Precious Water is a Precious Resource*Resource*Jeff Raikes, Jeff Raikes, CEO, Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationCEO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Food/AgricultureFood/Agriculture Crop per Drop Crop per Drop Feed the FutureFeed the Future

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change AdaptationAdaptation MitigationMitigation Human ImpactsHuman Impacts

Green-Energy TechnologiesGreen-Energy Technologies Biofuel industry Biofuel industry

Food/AgricultureFood/Agriculture Crop per Drop Crop per Drop Feed the FutureFeed the Future

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change AdaptationAdaptation MitigationMitigation Human ImpactsHuman Impacts

Green-Energy TechnologiesGreen-Energy Technologies Biofuel industry Biofuel industry

*Proceedings of the 2010 Water for Food Conference

Feed the Future (FTF)

• USAID/USDA released “Feed the Future: Global Food Security Research Strategy (Dec 2011)

• Advancing the Productivity Frontier• Transforming Key Production Systems• Enhancing Food Safety & Nutrition• Cross-Cutting Issues: Gender, Climate Change & Environment

• APLU/PURDUE/BIFAD/USAID/USDA Workshop at Purdue (Jan. 2011)

• Ken Cashman* & Shenggen Fan Speakers• “A Research Strategy for Feed the Future” Summary of Discussions

and Conclustions• E-Consultation to Produce a White Paper

– FTF Research Forum • Washington, DC June 21-23, 2011 (co-with World Food Prize)

Major components needed to understand the climate system and climate change.

Source: Strategic Plan for the Climate Change Science ProgramFinal Report, July 2003 Fig.2-5 Adapted from IPCC (2001a)

Water & Agriculture

Major Drivers

(Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook, 2002)

U.S. ENERGY CONSUMPTION TRENDS THROUGH 2020

University of Nebraska University of Nebraska

Longtime Leader in Research in Water, Longtime Leader in Research in Water, Agricultural & Natural Resources Management Agricultural & Natural Resources Management

Integrates Water Research with Education Integrates Water Research with Education Integrates Research with Policy AnalysisIntegrates Research with Policy Analysis Researchers have Flexibility Researchers have Flexibility

Capitalize on breakthroughs and emerging areaCapitalize on breakthroughs and emerging area Collaborate across disciplines, institutions & countriesCollaborate across disciplines, institutions & countries Collaborate with industry and non-profits Collaborate with industry and non-profits

Cultivate Interdisciplinary Expertise in Research Cultivate Interdisciplinary Expertise in Research and Education to Tackle World Challengeand Education to Tackle World Challenge

Public Service and Education to the Public Service and Education to the CommunityCommunity

Ken Cassman’s Proceedings of the Water for Food Conference

Nebraska can be a leader in “Future Water for Food Challenge”

Location Location Location Western Edge-Great American Desert Eastern Edge-Corn Belt

Irrigation Irrigation IrrigationDerives $10,000 per capital from agriculture (more than any other state) Nebraska’s Green Revolution based on new Science & Technology Increase rate of gain in ethanol production compared with other states

Biofuel Industry new within last 15 yrs: 1.8B gals fuel =$3B yr, 1000 jobs and $1.5B in capital investment

Natural Resources Districts model for water management

Nebraska’s Role in Water & Water for Food Centers• Regional intellectual centers

– Education

– Basic research

• Centers for innovation and technology transfer

• Role in regional economic development

• Role in workforce preparation– Partnerships with schools, other educational

institutions

• Bridging the university community and the region’s industrial community through Innovation Campus

NSF Engineering Research Centers• Promote partnerships among researchers

– in different disciplines – between industry and universities

• Focus on integrated engineered systems & technological innovations that strengthen the competitive position of industry

• Graduates become well-rounded, professionally oriented engineers – global outlook, – experience in technological innovation– ability to assume leadership roles in industry, academe, and government

• Generation Three (Gen-3) Engineering Research Centers (ERC) – link discovery to technological innovation through transformational

fundamental and engineered systems research – advance technology and produce engineering graduates who will be creative

U.S. innovators in a globally competitive economy. – Gen-3 ERCs must have an international partner!

• Active ERCs: http://www.erc-assoc.org/

• I

NSF Science &Technology Centers

• Integrative Partnerships program enables innovative research and education projects of national importance that require a Center mode of support – research, education, and knowledge-transfer goals

– conduct world-class research in partnerships among academic institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or other public/private entities

• create new and meaningful knowledge of significant benefit to society

• Deadline for Preproposals: May 30, 2011

• All Active Centers Web Page: – http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/stc/2000-2006.jsp

“The interaction of human activity with natural systems is a web of complex interactive and interdependent processes. If people or nature tugs on one part of the web, other parts of the web change, sometimes in unintended and unpredictable ways.” OSTP presentation, 2003

“The interaction of human activity with natural systems is a web of complex interactive and interdependent processes. If people or nature tugs on one part of the web, other parts of the web change, sometimes in unintended and unpredictable ways.” OSTP presentation, 2003

Or as Nebraskan Larry Dedic says: “For every action there will be a reaction”

There are no passengers on spaceship earth. There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew.We are all crew. Marshall McLuhan (1911 - 1980)Marshall McLuhan (1911 - 1980)