NitroGenius: a nitrogen decision support system. A game to develop the optimal policy to solve the Dutch nitrogen pollution problem.
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.
Erisman
Jan Willem
JW
Department of Integrated Assessment, Energy Research Foundation, ECN, P.O. Box 1, 1755 ZG Petten, The Netherlands. erisman@ecn.nl
Hensen
Arjan
A
de Vries
Wim
W
Kros
Hans
H
van de Wal
Tamme
T
de Winter
Wim
W
Wien
Jan Erik
JE
van Elswijk
Mark
M
Maat
Matthijs
M
Sanders
Kaj
K
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
D009584:Nitrogen