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An Opportunity for Change
In New
England, we are seeing clear indications of the impacts of rapid growth of
population on water supply and natural biodiversity. These impacts, which
include increased runoff water pollution, air pollution, greenhouse gas
emissions, loss of natural and open space, and massive changes to the character
of the landscape, are not unique to New England. Sprawl and other signs of
increased development are of concern in similar communities from California to
New Jersey. In New Hampshire, which is the fastest growing state in New
England, we are expecting an increase of 15,000 residents every year.
Historically an agricultural state, now only 5% of New Hampshire is in
agricultural use.
In a recent survey of community decision makers in New Hampshire, CIRPS has identified the following topics as the Top Ten Issues of Rapidly Growing Communities:
- Economic impacts of land use choices
- Preserving New England character
- Growth management
- Leadership training
- Conserving open space
- Economic development
- Affordable housing
- Transportation
- Water protection
- Community collaboration
These
issues offer opportunity for proactive solutions that foster understanding. The
Center for Integrative Regional Problem Solving takes an integrated approach
to find solutions that can be replicated and modeled utilizing both the best
resources of the region and of the University of New Hampshire, recently cited by
the Institute for Scientific Information as among the top ten universities in
citations of environmental research. Our strategy involves building capacity
for current initiatives to stem the loss of biodiversity and developing new
collaborative projects that utilize a whole-systems approach to get at the root
of the problems, and bringing these concepts to the public
through demonstration, seminars for professionals, and through outreach backed by solid science.
Our mission is to facilitate ecologically based, innovative approaches for securing quality of life and addressing land use challenges in New England through integrated research, outreach, education, and multi-disciplinary partnerships.
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