A need for a "richer cooperative and collaborative approach" involving other organizations to support cutting-edge research and development is viewed by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) as one of the Agency's "immediate science needs."

In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, SAB Chair Deborah L. Swackhamer listed six science needs SAB believes the Agency should focus on. The letter followed several exchanges of information between Jackson and SAB. Jackson has listed "science-based policies and programs" as one of the three fundamental values, along with rule of law and "overwhelming transparency," as the basis for addressing environmental problems.

In its letter, SAB states that EPA should improve its science program. SAB said the six areas described reflect observations SAB has made over many years and should be considered by Jackson "as early as possible as part of EPA's science program." In addition to collaboration, the areas are:

• Integration. SAB says effective integration of science is the key to generating knowledge essential for credible science-based decision making.
• Research framework. If integration is to be more than a slogan, EPA must expand its investments in new interdisciplinary research fields that will require sustained financial commitments to be successful.
• Budget. While acknowledging current economic problems, SAB states that EPA must commit resources to establishing a research base to address problems that "will only grow in complexity and magnitude in the future." SAB lists these challenging issues as urban sustainability and the built environment; land use, renewable energy, water resources, and climate change; materials management and human health; and the wise conservation of resources.
• Social sciences. Decision making, behavioral, and social sciences are key elements in effectively formulating problems, characterizing risks, evaluating benefits, and engaging citizens and stakeholders on needed actions.
• Energy and climate change. EPA should be the nation's lead agency in analyzing the human health and environmental implications of energy and climate change policies and guiding the country to optimal strategies.