Anticipating Environmental Problems—A Systems Approach

Kan Chan
Paul Appasamy
Michael Donahue
John Reuss


DOI: 10.2190/X9V8-0F1T-YC0F-KQG1

Abstract

The Environmental Problems Anticipatory Systems (EPAS) was developed as part of a cooperative research effort between the University of Michigan and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose of the research was to develop a systematic procedure for the anticipation of emerging environmental problems. The system was developed over a three-year period during which it was designed, refined, and tested. EPAS uses a systems approach involving experts from different sectors to identify and analyze emerging environmental problems. The major subsystems of EPAS involve monitoring, analysis, selection, and scoping. The research effort indicates that EPAS is an operational and tested approach that produces timely and cost-effective information for anticipating emerging environmental problems in a systematic manner.

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