Science
Science is knowledge or a system of knowledge about the physical world and its phenomena. Many environmental threats would be unknown without scientific research or discovered too late for the development of appropriate policies.
Environmental policy rests on a foundation of scientific research. However, the process of scientific research is not always geared to the needs of policymaking. Science seeks to prove or disprove hypotheses as a strategy for reaching enduring answers. Policy is limited in time and location: decisions must be made at a given time for a specific jurisdiction. Policymakers seek the best possible answers to issues because there is a constituency that requires an answer. Effective environmental policy requires facts derived from science as well as principles and goals derived from policy analysis. However, simply providing more scientific information does not create better policy. Scientists and policymakers often speak two different languages. An effective science-policy interface is often needed to negotiate and mediate between science and policy so that the evidence scientists provide is understandable to policymakers and other stakeholders.
Events and Articles
Showing 41 - 50 of 131 results
42nd Session of the IPCC (IPCC-42)
The Panel elected Hoesung Lee of the Republic of Korea as IPCC Chair for the sixth assessment cycle, along with oother members of the IPCC Bureau and the Task Force Bureau.
4th Special Session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST S-4) and UNCCD 3rd Scientific Conference
The UNCCD has proven itself to be a “learning convention” with parties exhibiting willingness to take stock and adjust structures and institutions over the years. The Scientific Conference concept perhaps best exemplifies this reflexivity, and as participants gathered for its third iteration, they were asked to engage with a new format and approach.
41st Session of the IPCC (IPCC-41)
IPCC-41 had on its agenda the future work of the IPCC, including consideration of the recommendations by the Task Group on the Future Work of the IPCC, and a decision on size, structure, and composition of the IPCC Bureau and any Task Force Bureau.
40th Session of the IPCC (IPCC-40)
IPCC delegates finalized the Synthesis Report's Summary for Policymakers line by line, and adopted the longer Synthesis Report section by section.
Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2014
Unlike the last two June sessions, which were marred by procedural delays and agenda fights, the June 2014 Bonn Climate Change Conference was a quiet, slow dance, marked by coordinated chorography at times, and syncopated stumbling at others.