Bringing science to bear on environmental policies in a distracted age

Background/Question/Methods To a remarkable degree, a debate still persists within the ecological and environmental science communities over the proper role for scientists to play in the formulation of environmental policies. Some argue that the facts should speak for themselves; to advocate for specific policy outcomes imperils our hard-earned reputations as objective and trusted sources of expert knowledge. Others, including this speaker, note that our scientific expertise diminishes neither our obligations as citizens nor the passion for sustaining the biosphere that motivates so much of our work, and argue that we can be objective scientists and effective advocates without contradiction.
 Drawing principally upon examples from the work of the Union of Concerned Scientists and academic collaborators, this talk describes several ways in which environmental scientists can combine rigorous policy-relevant research and personal convictions to measurably strengthen state and national environmental policies. It considers some “best practices” for scientists engaging in policy advocacy and highlights opportunities for scientific societies, academic institutions and advocacy organizations to more explicitly nurture the development of successful careers in science-based advocacy.
Results/Conclusions
Environmental scientists can combine a rigorous commitment to objective research and effective policy advocacy without contradiction. Multiple forms of collaboration with science-based advocacy organizations provide opportunities for individual scientists to call policymaker attention to relevant science, help develop policies that are consistent with the best available science, and ensure that science informs policy implementation.