They effectively allow the Foundation to increase the return of its investment in these areas, to reduce duplicative efforts, and to coordinate the allocation of its resources. The following discussions are based on the coordinating plans developed for NSF's activities in each of the strategic areas. NSF's seven strategic areas are grouped under three related priority areas established by the NSTC - Improved Environmental Quality , Harnessing Information Technology , and Job Creation and Economic Growth . Improved Environmental Quality Environmental quality has a broad impact on human health, safety, and quality of life. It affects the quality and quantity of food, fiber, energy and water supplies, as well as the enjoyment of a wide range of recreational opportunities.
Environmental issues are diverse, with local, regional and global components.
A balanced, comprehensive, integrated and coordinated program of multi-disciplinary research and development is critical to improving environmental quality. The primary global change research emphasis at NSF has been the support of activities that advance fundamental understandings of the complex interactions among different facets of the Earth system. Present and future efforts to preserve, manage and enhance the environment require enhancing current research and education activities. NSF will provide support for interdisciplinary research across a broad front of sciences - biology, chemistry, engineering, geosciences, materials science, mathematics, and the social sciences. This is needed to help address problems whose scope is comparable in size and complexity to that of national defense.