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Scientific-technological advancements often result from expenditures for basic and applied research and development (R&D). Basic research can advance general scientific knowledge about natural phenomena. Applied research is directed at discovering scientific knowledge with specific benefits to human society and commerce. Development is the systematic use of scientific knowledge to develop advanced technologies and approaches that benefit the economy, the environment, and society as a whole. In the early 1950s, U.S. R&D expenditures were approximately 1.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and the Federal government provided about 55% of the total. However, by 1975 as indicated in Figure 4.9, over 2% of GDP was going to R&D, and by the 1990s, R&D expenditures ranged between 2.5% and 2.8% of GDP and the Federal share had dropped to about 35%.
Investment in R&D and the resulting scientific and technological advances can enhance sustainability by improving our understanding of the Earth system and how we interact with it and by providing a broader range of options for responding to various challenges (economic, environmental, or social). At the same time, the new technologies may have unintended consequences related to employment, environmental quality, or ensuring equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of economic status. A truly meaningful evaluation of how R&D expenditures affect sustainability should include an assessment of the full range of costs and benefits that result from the scientific and technological advances.
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http://www.sdi.gov/indicators/lc_r_d.htm Last Modified: May 14, 2002 |