Although the environment of North America is not dissected by political borders, Canada and the United States often measure environmental conditions and report on them using different indicators. This report examines the environmental indicators used by both nations, and based on analysis of current research into common methodologies used in national, regional and global environmental reporting, it goes on to draw lessons for the development of bilateral indicators to cover the North American region.

Good environmental information is essential for effective sustainable development policy-making and action planning. Accurate information increases the chances for correct decisions. This does not guarantee a healthier environment, but its absence seriously impedes decisions which would lead to a sustainable future. Ideally, local, sectoral, corporate, national, regional, and global reports should complement one other, using, for example, common spatial units and databases. In reality comprehensive and integrated information is often not available for today's decision makers. The Source Book is designed to help to harmonize environmental reporting by encouraging the development of standard methods, practices, and terminology. It evaluates and compares alternative approaches for the development, production, and dissemination of environmental information, and combines the collective experience of environmental reporting, covering all aspects of reporting from user needs to data supply.

Environmental Statistics, Assessment, and Forecasting examines the current efforts to develop a coherent picture of national and regional environmental trends and conditions. The book includes sampling methodologies, statistical analysis techniques, environmental modeling, graphic presentation, including geographic information systems (GIS), and the problems involved in forecasting the future. The sampling and statistical techniques discussed include dealing with large variability and soft data; composite sampling; methods for combining data; data below the detection level; multivariate data; spatially censored, artificially censored, and incomplete data; kriging; and imputation. Geographic information system (GIS) analysis is discussed in the context of database management systems. Also covered are topics involved in the future of environmental statistics, including research planning, a bureau of environmental statistics, global interactions, and communication techniques. The book will interest statistical analysts, environmental planners, scientists, regulators, and policy makers in government, industry, and environmental groups.

Where should the United States focus its long-term efforts to improve the nation's environment? What are the nation's most important environmental issues? What role should science and technology play in addressing these issues? Linking Science and Technology to Society's Environmental Goals provides the current thinking and answers to these questions. Based on input from a range of experts and interested individuals, including representatives of industry, government, academia, environmental organizations, and Native American communities, this book urges policymakers to: Use social science and risk assessment to guide decision-making. Monitor environmental changes in a more thorough, consistent, and coordinated manner. Reduce the adverse impact of chemicals on the environment. Move away from the use of fossil fuels. Adopt an environmental approach to engineering that reduces the use of natural resources. Substantially increase our understanding of the relationship between population and consumption. This book will be of special interest to policymakers in government and industry; environmental scientists, engineers, and advocates; and faculty, students, and researchers.