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/