Social, Economic, and Policy Issues
ORNL scientists develop methods and models, conduct analyses, and produce tools that address key social, economic, and policy issues related to sustainability.
The following ORNL organizations are involved in research in this area:
Energy, Technology, and Behavior
The Energy, Technology, and Behavior Initiative includes staff members from several ORNL divisions, including the Energy and Engineering Sciences Directorate and the Environmental Sciences Division. It emphasizes the role of human behavior in achieving energy-efficiency and energy-savings goals. It builds on ORNL's extensive experience in analyzing decision making and behavior in markets and other contexts to focus on today's energy challenges. The initiative's work provides insights to enhance the energy-savings potential of technologies, policies, and programs through analyzing the actions and decisions of individuals and organizations and identifying their intentional and unintentional consequences.
Society-Technology Interactions
One core research area of ORNL's Environmental Sciences Division (ESD) is Energy and Environmental Systems Science, including a group of researchers studying Society-Technology Interactions. The group's research falls within the division's vision to expand scientific knowledge and develop innovative strategies and technologies that will strengthen the nation's leadership in creating solutions to help sustain the Earth's natural resources. Scientists in ESD conduct research, develop technology, and perform analyses to understand and assess responses of environmental systems at the environment-human interface and the consequences of alternative energy and environmental strategies. They seek to understand how natural and anthropogenic factors (e.g., global and regional change, environmental stress, energy production and use) interact to influence environmental systems and society. |
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