Bridging the Nitrogen Science and Policy Divide

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the findings of more recent literature document the significant local, regional and global threats posed by the growing problem of nitrogen pollution in many regions, as well as the threat to food security posed by too little use of nitrogen in other regions, particularly in Africa.  Although practical solutions to problems associated with the use of nitrogen are known, policy and management actions in response to these problems have been limited.  This paper reviews global nitrogen trends and impacts and explores why, given the broad scientific consensus, action to address this challenge has been so limited.  It examines whether there are opportunities to more effectively mobilize the scientific information on these issues to stimulate changes in policies and management practices.  The emerging framework for climate change mitigation may prove to be one of the most important points of leverage in tackling this problem.