eNd Points Challenges for Science and Policy

摘要

The theme of this Second Internationa] Nitrogen Conference is "Optimising nitrogen management in food and energy production and environmental protection". With this theme in mind and with some observations, partly made during the week of the conference, some remarks can be made that will hopefully contribute to the goal of this conference and challenge and inspire both scientists and policy makers. Although being a representative of the Dutch government, the views and ideas brought forward in this paper do not necessarily represent those of the Dutch government. Also be aware of the fact that the ideas presented here are very much the views of a policy maker from a Western developed country. The N-cycle is out of balance and will continue to grow out of balance if we do not properly address the loss of reactive nitrogen. The demand for food and energy and thus the release of reactive nitrogen is enormous and will increase. The challenge we face is to bring this to a sustainable situation. The stakes are high and it is not a game. We are dealing with human health and the standard of living through the food and energy supply on the one hand and the quality of our environment with all the consequences for human health and nature on the other hand. In my view, the growing imbalance of the N-cycle is more serious and the clock is ticking more rapidly than for any other important environmental problem, including the problem of climate change. With this challenging statement a series of challenges for both scientists and policy makers will be laid out. The paper concludes with the objectives behind the N-game, NitroGenius.