title: NitroGenius: a nitrogen decision support system. A game to develop the optimal policy to solve the Dutch nitrogen pollution problem.
abstract: A nitrogen decision support system in the form of a game (NitroGenius) was developed for the Second International Nitrogen Conference. The aims were to: i) improve understanding among scientists and policy makers about the complexity of nitrogen pollution problems in an area of intensive agricultural, industrial, and transportation activity (The Netherlands); and ii) search for optimal policy solutions to prevent pollution effects at lowest economic and social costs. NitroGenius includes a model of nitrogen flows at relevant spatial and temporal scales including emissions of ammonia and nitrogen oxides and contamination of surface- and groundwaters. NitroGenius also includes an economic model describing relationships for important sectors and impacts of different nitrogen control measures on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment, energy use, and environmental costs. About 50 teams played NitroGenius during the Second International Nitrogen Conference. The results show that careful planning and selection of abatement options can solve Dutch nitrogen problems at reasonable cost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Assessment, Energy Research Foundation, ECN, P.O. Box 1, 1755 ZG Petten, The Netherlands. erisman@ecn.nl
authors.forename: Jan Willem
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Erisman
authors.forename: Arjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hensen
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kros
authors.forename: Tamme
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van de Wal
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: de Winter
authors.forename: Jan Erik
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wien
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Elswijk
authors.forename: Matthijs
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maat
authors.forename: Kaj
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D003363:Cost Control; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004777:Environment; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005716:Game Theory; D018803:Models, Economic; D009426:Netherlands; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011050:Policy Making
chemical_list: D009584:Nitrogen