Dr. Rajeev Jain - Environment Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Our programs and resources are helping states and communities to manage, protect, and restore water and ecosystems through sustainable management of natural resources. We also provide information that assists the agricultural sector to achieve regulatory compliance through sustainable practices. Our ecosystem research helps communities develop tools to support sustainability and good stewardship.

Ecosystem services are the many life-sustaining benefits we receive from nature--clean air and water, fertile soil for crop production, pollination, and flood control. These ecosystem services are important to our health and well-being, yet they are limited and often taken for granted as being free.

Fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil provide most of the energy used but also contribute to climate change and other environmental problems. Activities are underway to begin to inventory and regulate emissions of greenhouse gases.

Adapting to possible effects of climate change will be critical to support environmental protection and economic growth. Our global change and climate programs provide timely and useful information and decision support tools to help policy makers and resource managers adapt to a changing climate. This strategy covers public infrastructure, health and culture, natural systems, and economic activities.

The sustainability of the biofuels supply chain from feedstock production to end use will determine the degree to which biofuels reach their full environmental potential and reduce reliance on petroleum.