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NGP Center for People & the Environment A Global Need
The Northern Great Plains Center for People and the Environment at the University of North Dakota was formed in 2001 in response to a global need. Planet Earth had been demonstrated to be a unified system composed of multiple interacting sub-systems. Hence the need has arisen for a holistic understanding of the how the global environment functions as a system. A synthesis of the knowledge acquired within separate disciplines has become appropriate.An Integrated System
Moreover, humanity can no longer be regarded as separate from the Earth system; rather, it is integral to it. In a short span of time, humans have become the dominant force for change on the planet, exceeding natural forces that have governed the Earth's environment for eons. Changes induced by humans to the chemical composition of the oceans and atmosphere, to the ecosystems on land, and to the web of life that makes the planet habitable are now larger in magnitude and faster in time than the planet has previously experienced. The combination of magnitude and pace is unsustainable.It's in Our Hands
Henceforth the fate of the planet is in human hands. To ensure in the future a rewarding quality of life, economic prosperity, and the healthy environment that is a prerequisite for both, humanity will need to transition to sustainable practices. Sustainability means meeting the needs and aspirations of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Learning how to achieve sustainability involves the natural, social, and health sciences, as well as their practical applications through engineering and policy development for societal change.
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