Why DENIN?

The increasing effects of human activity on the health of our ecosystems and our social response to environmental change threaten the economic well-being of our planet. Global warming and other climate changes, as well as environmental degradation and loss of biological diversity, are topics that dominate the debates among citizens and politicians and are being addressed by research scientists and environmentalists. The impact of these complex issues presents important challenges that demand interdisciplinary partnerships and innovative applications of science, engineering and policy.

Significant environmental issues in Delaware and around the world include global climate change; the effects of industrial contaminants, pesticides, pathogens, and nutrient runoff on water quality; the impact of particulate releases from agricultural and industrial operations on air quality and human health; and algal blooms, fish kills, and marshland deterioration.

The annual value of ecosystem services has been estimated to be twice the annual world GDP. This represents a tremendous opportunity for both government and the private sector in areas such as handling of waste products; optimization of industrial processes to be compatible with environmental assimilative capacities; the ability to develop decision models; quantitative policy analysis, and risk management. These are global, regional and local issues. For example, Delaware’s ecosystems furnish more than $100 billion in environmental services, with forests, coast, and wetlands responsible for 25-50% of this value, yet international, national, and state policies insufficiently consider these vital ecosystem benefits in decision-making.

About DENIN

The mission of the Delaware Environmental Institute is to provide solutions to pressing environmental needs and produce strategies to address emerging environmental challenges by conducting research and promoting and coordinating knowledge partnerships that integrate environmental science, engineering and policy. The Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) will serve as the advocate for sustained strength and vitality in pioneering environmental research. The Institute will focus on research areas relevant to the challenges facing the state and the nation, and Institute research will inform decision makers by providing the knowledge that can help create sound environmental policies.

The Institute fosters a culture of scholarship that leverages the combined talents of affiliates and fellows through collaborative working groups, joint proposal development and, where synergistic, project resource coordination.

The Institute's goals are to initiate interdisciplinary research projects; support interdisciplinary academic programs; forge partnerships among government agencies, nonprofits, industry, policymakers, and the public to address environmental challenges; and coordinate and sponsor University-based interdisciplinary initiatives.

Donald L. Sparks, Director