NASA, EPA Extend Environmental and Earth Science Collaborations

WASHINGTON, April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Monday to promote and continue collaboration between the two agencies in environmental and Earth sciences and applications.  

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The signing ceremony took place at the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science (MS)(2) in Washington. Following the ceremony, both administrators met with students to discuss the importance of science and engineering education.

"Our agencies have a remarkable opportunity to tackle a variety of environmental issues together," said Administrator Bolden.  "Involving students in Earth science and climate research at an early age will encourage a stronger sense of stewardship toward our home planet."

The agreement renews a broad partnership to promote joint efforts to improve environmental and Earth science research, technology, environmental management, and the application of Earth science data, models and technology in environmental decision-making.

"Our health and the health of our environment depend on continuous scientific exploration and innovation. EPA is proud to work with NASA to engage and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers who will carry our work forward," said Jackson. "America's young people are stepping up in this effort because they know what's at stake now and in the future, and they see the opportunities for the next great, game-changing discovery that will improve their lives and the lives of others."

Both agencies have been involved in projects and activities for many years. In 2005, the first Memorandum of Agreement was signed to formalize the partnership.  Areas of collaboration include climate change, air quality, and water. The re-invigorated partnership focuses on science leadership to motivate continued exploration, innovation and protection of our home planet.

NASA's Earth Science program advances knowledge of the integrated Earth system. NASA research encompasses the global atmosphere, the global oceans including sea ice, land surfaces including snow and ice, ecosystems, and interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and ecosystems, including humans.

NASA maintains the world's largest contingent of dedicated Earth scientists and engineers in leading and assisting other agencies in preserving the planet's environment. NASA operates 14 satellite missions as well as aircraft and surface-based instruments to sustain simultaneous observations to unravel the complexity of the integrated Earth system. In addition, the agency supports advanced computing and modeling capabilities and maintains the world's largest scientific data and information system for collecting, processing, archiving, and distributing Earth system data to worldwide users.

The EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment. One key component is the agency's Advanced Monitoring Initiative. The initiative's goal is to improve our nation's understanding of how environmental factors affect human health and ecological well being. Projects within the initiative enable better understanding of how to provide improved data to support and enhance environmental policy, management, and decision making.  The agency strives to develop new data products, models and tools to assist decision makers and the public in understanding today's complex environmental issues.

For more information on NASA's Earth research activities, visit

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/

For information on EPA's Earth Observations and Advanced Monitoring Initiative, visit

http://www.epa.gov/geoss/

SOURCE NASA