In this report, Chapter 2 provides a perspective on environmental prob- lems in the nation and world. Chapter 3 assesses the strengths and weak- nesses of current environmental research programs. Chapter 4 describes the desirable characteristics of an environmental research program that would lead to effective organization of research, training, and education. Chapters 3 and 4 contain commentary on issues mentioned in the charge, such as the balance of intramural and extramural funding of environmental research and the means for using the scientific findings of environmental research to inform environmental policy decisions. Chapter 5 uses the needs identified in Chap- ter 3 and the desirable characteristics described in Chapter 4 to construct a series of recommendations for changing the culture for the performance of environmental research and for organizing it within the federal government.
Appendixes contain essential information that guided the deliberations of the committee.
Appendix A describes current environmental research programs in the federal agencies and provides data on trends in financial support of the research. Appendix B deals With biodiversity and its loss and expands on a briefer discussion in Chapter 2. Appendix C reproduces the proposal by the Committee for the National Institute for the Environment. It also describes and discusses each agencies programs. That a Department of the Environment be established and that it formulate and oversee the National Environmental Strategy.