Advancing a Systems Approach to Studying the Earth: A Strategy for the National Science Foundation

地球是一个复杂的系统，在大气、水圈、地圈、冰冻圈、生物圈以及响应和影响这些动态的个人、机构和技术之间有着无数的相互作用和反馈。许多紧迫的社会问题——如确保淡水供应、应对自然灾害和遏制海平面上升——涉及多个过程，这些过程以动态的、往往是非线性的方式相互作用。以系统为基础的方法来了解我们的星球可以帮助指导对这些社会问题的反应。该奖项为国家科学院、工程院和医学院的研究提供资金，以开发一份共识报告，该报告具有令人信服的愿景，用于研究地球的系统方法，并讨论支持该愿景所需的设施、基础设施、协调机制、计算和劳动力发展。它将协助几个国家科学基金会理事会（包括地球科学、生物学、工程学、计算机和信息科学与工程、教育和人力资源以及社会、行为和经济科学）建立跨学科的桥梁，以显著推进对地球的系统级综合理解。这项研究将明确未来对地球系统的研究在哪些方面可以为依赖这些信息进行决策的人们和社会带来最大利益。这项活动将利用美国国家科学院在科学界参与和建立共识方面的丰富经验和专业知识，制定愿景，探索利用和协调关键设施和项目的机制。这项工作将由地球和生命研究司、行为和社会科学及教育司、工程和物理科学司、政策和全球事务司的几个委员会进行。部分工作将在平行的“工作流程”中进行，这将利用国家科学院现有的专家咨询小组网络。由志愿者专家组成的特设委员会将与经验丰富的工作人员团队合作，开展背景研究，鼓励社区参与，并编写报告文本。委员会和工作人员将通过面对面的研讨会、关于特定主题的虚拟小型研讨会、与NSF主要联系人和其他利益相关者的访谈、在线输入请求以及电子通信和网络的使用，从地球科学界征求意见。在整个研究过程中，不同的专家和决策者社区都将积极参与，该项目将为推进和应用地球系统知识建立新的联系和能力。同行评议的报告将通过简报、在线讨论、网络研讨会、相关会议的演讲和会议以及其他相关活动广泛传播。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Earth is a complex system, with myriad interactions and feedbacks among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and the individuals, institutions, and technologies that respond to and influence these dynamics. Many pressing societal concerns -- such as ensuring a fresh water supply, responding to natural disasters, and retreating from sea level rise -- involve multiple processes that interact in dynamic and often nonlinear ways. A systems-based approach to understanding our planet can help guide responses to these societal concerns. This award provides funds for a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study to develop a consensus report with a compelling vision for a systems approach to studying the Earth and discussion of the facilities, infrastructure, coordinating mechanisms, computing, and workforce development needed to support that vision. It will assist several National Science Foundation directorates (including Geosciences, Biology, Engineering, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Education and Human Resources, and Social, Behavioral, and Economics Sciences) in building bridges across disciplines to significantly advance a systems-level, integrated understanding of the Earth. The study will provide clarity about where future research on the Earth system can yield most benefit for the people and societies that depend on this information for their decisions.This activity will utilize the National Academies’ substantial experience and expertise in scientific community engagement and consensus building to develop the vision and explore mechanisms to leverage and align key facilities and programs. The work will be conducted by several Boards throughout the Divisions on Earth and Life Studies, Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Policy and Global Affairs. Portions of the work will be conducted in parallel “workstreams” that will leverage the existing network of expert advisory groups in place at the National Academies. An ad hoc committee of volunteer experts will work with an experienced staff team to conduct background research, encourage community engagement, and prepare report text. The committee and staff will solicit input from across Earth science communities, by means of an in-person workshop, virtual mini-workshops on specific topics, interviews with key NSF contacts and other stakeholders, online requests for input, and the use of electronic communications and networks. With significant engagement of diverse expert and decision maker communities throughout the study, the project will build new connections and capacity for advancing and applying knowledge of the Earth system. The peer-reviewed report will be disseminated widely through briefings, on-line discussions, webinars, presentations and sessions at relevant conferences, and other related activities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.