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NCER News Item

Monday, June 24, 2002
EPA STAR Grantee Awarded the National Medal of Science

NCER Staff Writer

WASHINGTON (NCER) - Dr. Gene E. Likens, the Director of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies , received the nation's highest award for lifetime achievement in the field of scientific research. Fourteen scientists and one engineer were named by President George W. Bush on May 9, 2002 to receive the prestigious National Medal of Science. Congress established the National Medal of Science in 1959 as a Presidential Award that is given to individuals "deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." The award is administered by the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Likens, with his colleagues, was the first to document the link between the increasing acidity of precipitation – primarily caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) – and fossil fuel combustion in North America. The results of his research on the long-term consequences of acid rain have catalyzed vigorous public policy dialogue, stimulated new scientific studies, and raised awareness of the connections between human activities and the ecosystems upon which humans are dependent.

As an EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grantee, Dr. Likens studied the impact of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments on precipitation and air chemistry in the eastern United States. His research showed that the Amendments caused a significant reduction in SO2 emissions for most states but not in Texas, North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, and Alabama. Implementation of the Amendments also helped to decrease SO2 concentrations in air in most of the eastern U.S. but only New York and Pennsylvania showed significant declines in NOX.

Dr. Likens' work led to national legislation addressing the effects of acid rain. His approach is now a guiding paradigm in the science of ecology and in the application of this science to finding solutions for global environmental problems, including deforestation, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, and eutrophication.

The honorees received their medals at a White House ceremony on 13 June 2002.

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