Communicating Science Effectively is a Big Challenge

The public is growing wary of science because of the occasional misrepresentations from the media. Journalists do not shoulder all of the blame, however, says environmental scientist Andrew Revkin. Scientists should strive to be more proactive with sharing evidence-based information, reaching out to science communicators, policymakers and the public.

From the Ecological Society of America (2 August2010):

Addressing environmental challenges and controversies through science communication

Successful environmental strategies are tied to engaging society in science

What can we do for the environment? What can individual scientists, agencies and institutions do to improve the quality of environmental decision-making?

These are among the questions explored by scientists and communications experts in a Special Issue of the Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Submissions are based on a 2009 conference held at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.

We can communicate effectively

Scientists need to consider their audiences when talking about their research. Members of the press benefit from concise and clearly-explained research just as much as their readers do.

In his guest editorial “Into the Breach,” Andrew Revkin, writer for The New York Times’ blog Dot Earth and Senior Fellow for Environmental Understanding at Pace University, cites the challenges of science communication “in this world of expanding, evolving communication paths.”

The public is growing wary of science, he notes, because of the occasional misrepresentations from the media. Journalists do not shoulder all of the blame, however, says Revkin. Scientists should strive to be more proactive with sharing evidence-based information, reaching out to science communicators, policymakers and the public.

In the article “Communicating with the public: opportunities and rewards for individual ecologists,” Michael Pace from the University of Virginia and colleagues explain how scientists can engage non-academic audiences in their work.

Researchers should recognize and pursue opportunities for public outreach, and perhaps more importantly, their institutions should acknowledge such efforts in merit evaluations. In addition, Deanna Osmond from North Carolina State University and colleagues outline the benefits of working with interface organizations—typically, nonprofits committed to disseminating and translating science for the media, stakeholders and policymakers—in “The role of interface organizations in science communication and understanding.”

“The gap between scientists and decision makers is well-known and well-established,” says Peter Groffman, from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Guest Editor of the Special Issue, “but it is not impossible to overcome. Interface organizations, for example, can be critical tools for connecting research to untapped audiences using the most effective outreach strategies.”

We can inform policy with science

There are other benefits to scientists clearly communicating evidence-based information to the public, says Gene Likens from the Cary Institute. In his long bid to spur legislation addressing acid rain, Likens used several outlets, such as the media, to translate his research and relay his message. In his online-only article, which also forms part of the Special Issue, “The role of science in decision making: does evidence-based science drive environmental policy?” Likens cites his experiences with acid rain as a case study for the successful inclusion of science into policy making.

As he writes in the article, “communication is frequently hindered because scientists and non-scientists ‘speak different languages,’ the former often using acronyms and specialist jargon.” He strongly advises scientists to tailor their message for policymakers, as opposed to the more “technically-oriented managers.” In short, he says, for the message to reach policymakers and for them to be able to reference it, “scientists need to have unassailable data, perseverance, good communication skills and an understanding of policy.”

We can educate children through the arts

Children can become alarmed as they learn about the widespread environmental challenges society faces. According to Diane McKnight from the University of Colorado, Boulder, this effect, called ecophobia, can be counterproductive in inspiring children to explore nature. In another online-only article “Overcoming ‘ecophobia’: fostering environmental empathy through narrative in children’s science literature,” McKnight recommends children’s books and fictional tales that both describe the wonders of Earth and describe the science behind these natural processes.

Similarly, in “Four cultures: new synergies for engaging society on climate change,” Matthew Nisbet from American University and colleagues emphasize the importance of integrating the multi-disciplinary expertise of the four major academic cultures—including environmental science, philosophy and religion, social sciences and the creative arts—to more effectively communicate about environmental issues.

“Right now, in their outreach efforts the four major disciplinary cultures tend to work in isolation,” says Nisbet. “What we need is a new system of incentives and rewards at universities and at funding agencies that allows these disciplines to accomplish collectively what none are capable of doing alone, namely, building a new communication infrastructure surrounding climate change, especially at the local level.”

Nisbet and colleagues specifically recommend increasing the proportion of research grants dedicated to public outreach, suggesting that the funding from individual grants should be pooled at the university level. These resources, say the authors, would be invested in a four cultures faculty committee committed to maintaining local partnerships with the media, museums, libraries, schools, businesses and faith-based organizations. The goal would be to engage all corners of society in environmental efforts.

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The Special Issue of ESA’s Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment explores the ways in which academic institutions, federal agencies, nonprofits and individuals can take part in addressing major environmental problems. The open-access issue is based on the findings of the May 2009 Cary Conference on Effective Communication of science in environmental controversies; it is available online at http://www.esajournals.org/loi/fron.

The Ecological Society of America is the world’s largest professional organization of ecologists, representing 10,000 scientists in the United States and around the globe. Since its founding in 1915, ESA has promoted the responsible application of ecological principles to the solution of environmental problems through ESA reports, journals, research, and expert testimony to Congress. ESA publishes four journals and convenes an annual scientific conference. Visit the ESA website at http://www.esa.org or find experts in ecological science at http://www.esa.org/pao/rrt/.

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is a private, not-for-profit environmental research and education organization in Millbrook, N.Y. For more than twenty-five years, Cary Institute scientists have been investigating the complex interactions that govern the natural world. Their objective findings lead to more effective policy decisions and increased environmental literacy. Visit the Cary Institute website at http://www.caryinstitute.org/

Source: www.eurekalert.org

Lucky Last

Singapore is about to go bright green and low carbon

Fresh from his lightning visit to Singapore to speak at the National Sustainability Conference, Ken Hickson reflects on the commitment of the island state to a clean energy, low carbon future and the calibre of its leaders in Government, business and the environment sectors.

Not only speaking about what‘s going on its Australia and around the world, but learning what’s happening in the centre of the Asian universe for sustainability and clean tech.

In Singapore, there is strong focus on Waste and Water Management, as well as Energy Efficiency Programmes, driven by Government, organisations like the Singapore Environment Council, as well as the private sector.

Singapore always welcomes the contribution of industry and business, and whether it is in sponsoring or supporting public education programmes, or investing directly in plant and infrastructure, there is no doubt that considerable progress is being made to go beyond the image of “clean and green” to seriously move towards a sustainable city and a low carbon economy.

This is all the more remarkable because Singapore is the third largest oil refinery centre in the world. It is determined to break its dependence on imported oil and gas by considering alternatives, including innovative solar and waste to energy plans, as well as learn to be much more efficient with how it produces and uses electricity.

Also meeting some great communicators, who are determined to see that Singapore not only does the right thing eco-wise, but also sets some great green examples for the rest of the region:  

• Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Water Resources;
• Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs;
• Howard Shaw, Executive Director of the Singapore Environment Council;
• Ong Seng Eng, Director of the National Environment Agency;
• Lee Chuan Seng, President of the Singapore Green Building Council;
• Lina Goh, Head of the Office of Environmental Sustainability at NUS;
• Lim Chuen Ming, Head, Cleantech at the Economic Development Board;
• John Pearson, Head of Climate Change Network for the British High Commission;
• Mann Young, Head of Sustainability for Len Lease in Asia.

There are also a host of green people with bright ideas, including Bhavani Prakash with her Eco walk the talk; Eugene Tay of Green Future Solutions  and Green Business Times; Olivia Choong of Sustainable PR, and Chris Tobias of eco-business.com.

It was privilege to be part of the National Sustainabiity Conference in Singapore last week. For deep insight into the content of the event, presentations (including my own) and media material, this can all be found at: http://nationalsustainabilityconference.com/news_room.html

What else did I learn about in Singapore?

• Green Bus Trial – plans to run some of the city’s public transport on hybrid technology, reducing fuel use by as much as 30%, as well as trial a zero emission bus developed by the Nanyang Technological University.
• G1 (eco cars) to rival F1 – in the same month (September) as the gas guzzling high profile Formula 1 grand prix in Singapore, will be the city’s first G1 for eco-friendly cars organised by the Singapore Environment Council..
• Clean Tech Park – planned by the Jurong Town Corporation and the Economic Development Board is a 50 hectare eco-business park, aiming to be a choice location for green minded business owners as well as foster research and development in the clean-tech sector.
• World Green Building Council International Congress 2010 (13-16 September) -   In line with the mission of the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) to propel Singapore’s building and construction industry towards environmental sustainability, SGBC is pleased to present the inaugural Green Building Council Conference and the WorldGBC International Congress 2010 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

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Source: www.abccarbon.com, www.nus.edu.sg/oes, www.nea.gov.sg, & www.sec.org.sg

Yes, this is such a late despatch this week, it hardly warrants the title “express”, but we have plenty of excuses, including crossing time zones and even the fact that late news just kept coming in!  Back on cooler but sun-blessed ground in Brisbane this mid-week to attend and speak at the Climate Change@Work Conference, also gave me the chance to catch up on other outstanding social and business matters. Next week, you can expect to find me at the Climate Change and Business Conference in Sydney and, all going well, also attending the Beyond Zero Emissions seminar on Thursday evening. And yes, I am offsetting my air miles!