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Dartmouth College Receives Grant for Collaborating to Sustain the Planet

Release Date: 02/25/2008
Contact Information: Paula Ballentine, (617) 918-1027

(Boston, Mass. - Feb. 25, 2008) - Dartmouth College of Hanover, N.H. is one of ten recipients of the Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustainability (CNS) research grant nationwide.

Researchers at Dartmouth will examine biological data, social indicators, and mercury management policies with the $300,000 grant to determine how stakeholders could be motivated to promote ecological, economic, and social sustainability.

"By employing a combination of economic and social scientific theory, environmental modeling, and behavioral science experiments, we are working to formulate biological and social indicators of mercury pollution that are meaningful to the communities of New England. The idea is that such indicators will motivate individual and organizational stakeholders to act in ways that promote sustainability,” said Mark Borsuk, principal investigator of the project. “A particular focus is on traditionally under-represented or at-risk segments of the population, including rural Native-American and urban African-American communities, who may have unique livelihoods, cultural traditions, and exposure situations. Our results should lead to reporting and regulatory frameworks that ensure environmental protection while exploiting economic efficiencies and addressing social justice concerns."

The CNS grants support the application of science and engineering to decision-making in pursuit of sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to achieve continuing economic prosperity while protecting the natural systems of the planet and providing a high quality of life for all people.

EPA relies on quality science as the basis for sound policy and decision-making. EPA’s laboratories and research centers, and EPA's research grantees, are building the scientific foundation needed to support the Agency’s mission to safeguard human health and the environment. The Agency gave out a total of about $3 million in grant awards to help cities, states, and regions move towards a sustainable future.

More information on these grants: https://www.epa.gov/ncer/2007cns
More information on the CNS program: https://www.epa.gov/ncer/cns

Additional information about EPA’s sustainability research program: https://www.epa.gov/sustainability

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