The article "Managing Nitrogen for Sustainable Development" by Zhang et al. (2015) highlights the critical importance of improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crop production to address the triple challenges of food security, environmental degradation, and climate change. The authors analyze historical patterns of agricultural NUE and find a broad range of national pathways of agricultural development and related pollution. They estimate the required NUE and yield targets by geographic region and crop type to meet global food demand and environmental stewardship goals by 2050. The study discusses socio-economic policies and technological innovations that can help achieve these targets. The authors also explore the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, suggesting that N pollution initially increases with economic growth but then decreases as societies demand improved environmental quality. They find that many countries show a pattern similar to an EKC, with N pollution first increasing and then decreasing with economic growth. The study emphasizes the need for both technical knowledge and understanding of cultural, social, and economic incentives to improve NUE. It also highlights the importance of crop mix and fertilizer-to-crop price ratios in influencing NUE and N pollution. Finally, the authors propose global and national goals for NUE and suggest policy measures to facilitate technology transfer and promote agricultural innovation.The article "Managing Nitrogen for Sustainable Development" by Zhang et al. (2015) highlights the critical importance of improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crop production to address the triple challenges of food security, environmental degradation, and climate change. The authors analyze historical patterns of agricultural NUE and find a broad range of national pathways of agricultural development and related pollution. They estimate the required NUE and yield targets by geographic region and crop type to meet global food demand and environmental stewardship goals by 2050. The study discusses socio-economic policies and technological innovations that can help achieve these targets. The authors also explore the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, suggesting that N pollution initially increases with economic growth but then decreases as societies demand improved environmental quality. They find that many countries show a pattern similar to an EKC, with N pollution first increasing and then decreasing with economic growth. The study emphasizes the need for both technical knowledge and understanding of cultural, social, and economic incentives to improve NUE. It also highlights the importance of crop mix and fertilizer-to-crop price ratios in influencing NUE and N pollution. Finally, the authors propose global and national goals for NUE and suggest policy measures to facilitate technology transfer and promote agricultural innovation.