WASHINGTON — To explore the complex interactions between the natural world and society and enhance our understanding of Earth’s systems — the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and the individuals, institutions, and technologies that respond to and influence these dynamics — the National Science Foundation should create a next-generation Earth systems science initiative, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The complicated and dynamic interactions of Earth’s systems have maintained life on our planet for billions of years. Understanding of these systems, their complex interactions and feedback mechanisms, and their importance to humanity has grown substantially over the last few decades. For example, Earth systems like the atmosphere and water cycle underpin our ability to grow food and access clean water. However, critical questions remain about how these systems function and interact — including how decisions made today might impact these systems and humanity in the future.

“The time is ripe for an integrated research approach that can generate knowledge to help us address some of our most urgent challenges as a species,” said Ruth DeFries, professor of ecology and sustainable development at Columbia University and co-chair of the committee that wrote the report. “Our future depends on improving our understanding of how Earth’s systems work, and how our actions today might affect the planet tomorrow.”

“Climate change demonstrates the urgency with which we need the knowledge that a next-generation Earth systems science initiative can give us. It’s one of many problems that such an initiative could address,” added George Hornberger, University Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University, and committee co-chair.

“This report lays out a vision for an Earth systems science initiative at NSF that is bold, integrated across disciplines, and forward looking. Potential benefits accrue not just to science and researchers, but to communities whose future depends on learning how Earth systems are changing,” said Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences.

An Integrated Approach

The report says NSF’s next-generation Earth systems science initiative should innovate, advance, and nurture an integrated research approach for the field. This will require NSF to place an increased emphasis on research inspired by real-world problems while maintaining its strong legacy of curiosity driven research across many disciplines — and to enhance the participation of social, engineering, and data scientists, and strengthen its efforts to include diverse perspectives in research.

In particular, Next-Generation Earth Systems Science at the National Science Foundation lays out six key characteristics that an integrated Earth systems science initiative will need to embody:

• Advance research that is driven by curiosity, as well as research that is driven by real-world needs and uses, across a range of locations and time spans.
• Facilitate the convergence of social, natural, computational, and engineering sciences to inform solutions to problems related to Earth systems — such as how to implement plans that avoid the worst impacts of flooding, by studying and understanding how human activities and climate change impact the water cycle.
• Ensure diverse, inclusive, equitable, and just approaches to Earth systems science.
• Prioritize engagement and partnerships with diverse stakeholders so that they are better included in the research process.
• Synergize observational, computational, and modeling capabilities to accelerate discoveries.
• Educate and support a workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in an integrated research approach.

Supporting Convergence Research

The report says NSF needs to better facilitate convergence research — research that is driven by a specific and compelling problem and integrates knowledge, methods, and expertise from different disciplines to find an answer — in Earth systems science, removing the barriers to progress that exist today in convergence research.

NSF should facilitate engagement with stakeholders so that they can be part of the research process; help to build more transdisciplinary teams; and promote and support the development of the next generation of researchers by exposing them to convergence research earlier in their education. The legacy of low diversity in Earth systems science fields is another barrier to convergence research — and the report says NSF should support programs that help to improve diversity and inclusion in relevant fields and hire individuals with diverse perspectives to leadership positions. NSF should also enable observing facilities, such as field stations or marine laboratories, to support convergence research and better collaborate by connecting these facilities virtually and upgrading their technological capabilities.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

NSF should integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all aspects of next-generation Earth systems science, including in determining research priorities, evaluating research, and developing the required workforce, the report says. NSF should incentivize research teams to consider the implications of their research for different segments of society.

Computational Leadership

Computing in Earth systems science is changing rapidly. Increased complexity and new programming methods and models mean many research teams need a research software engineer, yet NSF computing resources are already stretched thin. NSF should expand computing resources such as hardware, software, data analytics, and a skilled workforce to harness the computational revolution for the benefit of Earth systems science.

The study — undertaken by the Committee on Advancing a Systems Approach to Studying the Earth: A Strategy for the National Science Foundation — was sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.

Contact:

Megan Lowry, Media Officer
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu