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Science & policy? An aquatic scientist’s perspective
Linda Campbell
Senior Research Fellow in Environmental Science
Canadian Association of Environmental Law SocietiesLiquid Assets: Environmental & Legal Issues in Canadian Waters
February 22, 2013
Scientists typically do not get involved with policy & legislation.
As a result, there is a real need for clear communication of good science…
…in order for the right people to develop good policy and effective legal structures…
… and for environmental lawyers so they have good information for their jobs.
Canadian successes:Two freshwater case studies
Mercury science in Canada
(driven by policy makers)
Phosphorus & eutrophication in lakes
(driven by scientists)
Mercury: a known toxic chemical for 1000’s of years
http://masters-of-photography.com/images/full/smith/smith_minimata.jpg
W. Eugene SmithTomoko Uemura in Her BathMinamata, 1972
5
Environment Canada CARA Mercury Science Program
• Actions to reduce emissions of key air pollutants.
• Driven by Env. Can. policy developers.
• Funding of science to inform policy recommendations.
Ecological risk using fish as biomonitors
Modelled mercury concentrations in yellow perch
Modelled mercury concentrations in walleye
Depew DC Burgess NM & Campbell LM. Environmental Pollution (accepted)
Jan 23 2013:Canada agrees to UN Mercury Treaty
http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Mercury/Negotiations/INC5/INC5PressReleases/tabid/106835/Default.aspx
http://www.iisd.ca/mercury/inc5/
Intermission
This is why good policy and lawyers are needed….
Lake Erie is “dead”?
Case study 2: Experimental Lakes Area(From Science, 2008)
How was phosphorus identified as the culprit
nutrient?
How was phosphorus identified as the culprit
nutrient?
What did the scientists do?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/10/15/f-david-schindler.html
• Communicate, communicate, communicate.
• Communicate again!• Became advocates.• Testified at
state, provincial & federal panels.
• Testified at US court cases.
• (Many of them became so good at this, they are still advocating 40 + years later)
What did the governments do?
What did the governments do?
• International Joint Commission: Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), 1972, renewed & amended regularly.
• Canada-Ontario Agreement regarding the Great Lakes
• Lakewide Management Plans by all involved US and Canada agencies (federal, state & prov).
• Municipality regulations on sewage and runoff
Did phosphorus reductions work?
Yes.
Did phosphorus reductions work?
But….• Invasive mussels
• Changes in form of phosphorus
• Increased agriculture pressures
• Climate change
2011 Algal bloom
http://evelyntagbo.blogspot.ca/2012/12/a-fatal-gap-between-science-and-policy.html
Science & environmental policy
• Good policy demands good science.
• Communication is key.
• Legislation often driven by negative situations.
• Environmental law often difficult due to contradictory interpretations of science & impact.
• Need objective science perspectives.
Bad news: Experimental Lakes Area will be closed unless…
(From Science, 2008)
Please sign the postcards.
www.saveELA.org
Thank you!
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2013/02/19/ela-supporters-dump-lab-coats-in-new-orleans/