Science Canada: 03/24/09

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Politicians must open the tent to scientists

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:21 AM

Mar 24, 2009
ALAN BERNSTEIN
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.wcoscience24/BNStory/specialComment/home

'Environmentalists' are abandoning science

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:20 AM

Fights against new hydro and wind plants set back the fight against climate change
Mar 24, 2009
Andrew Weaver
Special to the Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/Environmentalists+abandoning+science/1421670/story.html

Canada should mark World TB Day by fighting the disease's appalling grip on its First Nations

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:20 AM

Mar 24, 2009
PHIL FONTAINE
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.wcoTB24/BNStory/specialComment/home

Ontario joins the movement to make lawns and gardens green

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:19 AM

Mar 23, 2009
David Suzuki with Faisal Moola
London Topic.ca
http://www.londontopic.ca/article.php?artid=13602

Salmon Genes, Discuss

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:19 AM

Should science fiddle with salmon genetics? We put 26 people in a room to test the question -- and 'deliberative democracy.'
Mar 23, 2009
David Secko and Emma Cohen
TheTyee.ca
http://thetyee.ca/Views/2009/03/23/SalmonGenes/

Arctic unprepared for another oil spill: WWF

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:18 AM

Mar 23, 2009
Thomas Jolicoeur
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/news/Arctic+unprepared+another+spill/1419878/story.html

Live longer by reducing red meat intake: Study

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:18 AM

Mar 23, 2009
Sharon Kirkey
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/Health/Live+longer+reducing+meat+intake+Study/1419901/story.html

Prentice renews funding for UN water monitoring program

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:17 AM

Mar 21, 2009
The Canadian press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090321.wwater0321/BNStory/politics/home

WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

The goal of the Science Canada website is to highlight science policy issues in Canada's political arena and media.

Science policy is the discipline that lies at the interface of the scientific enterprise and public administration. It encompasses two related and complementary spheres: (i) “policy for science” – strategies for managing and enhancing the conduct of scientific research; and (ii) “science for policy” – mechanisms by which scientific knowledge informs government decision-making. Science Canada aims to keep you up-to-date on recent developments on both fronts.

PS - In the interests of promoting healthy debate and reflecting the full marketplace of ideas, links to many types of opinion pieces are posted here... including ones with which I may strongly disagree. (Don't interpret a link to an editorial as an endorsement of its point of view.)

Happy reading!

Jeff Sharom

Connect with Jeff Sharom on LinkedIn or Nature Network.

Why Science Canada?

Canadian scientific community suffers from lack of active engagement in decision making processes, dynamic network of science advocacy and lobbying. That is due to various factors but mainly lack of strong professional associations, and as result frail networks, and absence of science policy discourse in the mainstream of Canadian society. However the involvement of scientists at decision making levels differs in different provinces depending on the degree of cosy relationship and personal friendship between the scientists and policy makers rather than strong professional and systematic engagement.

In United States, there are numerous research centers, and many scientists that are being trained in science policy, numerous networks and organization which provide a strong base for science policy discourse and strong lobby for science in mainstream of the society. One of the latest examples of this effective science lobby in the United States is the efforts to hold a debate dedicated to science and technology between the candidates in 2008 presidential race. There has already been one public debate of scientific advisers of both democratic presidential candidates, and the efforts to convince the final two candidates to dedicate one debate to science and technology has been continued. Regardless of appropriateness of such debate, the fact that serious efforts are present and has taken momentum somehow that according to polls 85% of voters agree with having one debate on science issues , indicates that science policy discourse in the United States is in the mainstream of American society.

It is time for Canadian scientific community to start bringing science into mainstream of Canadian society and get engage in policy making processes. The necessity of dynamic scientific community being involved at policy making levels, in collaboration with social scientists, technology experts, engineers, government officials, policy makers and private sector, has not ever been more urgent. It is up to Canadian scientists to recognize the need and starts preparing essentials for this goal.

Mehrdad Hariri

Science Canada

Politicians must open the tent to scientists

'Environmentalists' are abandoning science

Canada should mark World TB Day by fighting the disease's appalling grip on its First Nations

Ontario joins the movement to make lawns and gardens green

Salmon Genes, Discuss

Arctic unprepared for another oil spill: WWF

Live longer by reducing red meat intake: Study

Prentice renews funding for UN water monitoring program

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