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Why does some research lead to changes in public policy, while other studies of equal quality do not? That crucial question—how science impacts policy—is the focus of a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The paper suggests the most effective way environmental scholars can boost their policy influence—from protecting wildlife to curbing pollution—is to consult widely with stakeholders during the research process.
Surprisingly, the study finds that stakeholder engagement is a better predictor of future policy impacts than perceived scientific credibility. The study is the first quantitative analysis of how environmental knowledge impacts the attitudes and decisions of conservation policymakers. Researchers from the University of Vermont, World Wildlife Fund and Natural Capital Project analyzed 15 policy decisions worldwide, with outcomes ranging from new coastal preservation laws to improved species protections.
http://phys.org/news/2016-02-secret-scholars-impact-policy.html
[Abstract]: Policy impacts of ecosystem services knowledge
[Research]: http://scholarworks.uvm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1412&context=graddis [PDF]
Left unasked is the question: How much, if any, do we want scientists to try to change policy?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 04 2016, @09:27PM
Protections always get added, never removed. It's a ratchet effect. We need to stop it and somehow reverse it.
Species always get eliminated, never created. It's a ratchet effect. We need to stop it and somehow reverse it.
Protections aren't free. They hurt our economy. You are being hurt. It might be fairly indirect... the houses you like are more expensive because other people are denied the right to build where they would rather live. The dings and dents in our economy add up.
Extinctions aren't free. They hurt our ecology. You are being hurt. It might be fairly indirect... the foods you like are more expensive because the supporting species they depend on to grow are being decimated. The dings and dents in our environment add up.