Science Canada: 04/30/09

Disease exists in far larger numbers than we know, but isn't making people sick enough to see a doctor
Apr 30, 2009
Joseph Hall
Toronto Star
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/626639

Soot new culprit in Arctic's rapid melt

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 4:42 PM

Blanket of carbon particles may speed thaw of sea ice, scientists say
Apr 30, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/626662

Engineers to test city structures for earthquake vulnerability

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 4:42 PM

Apr 30, 2009
Andrew Duffy
The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Engineers+test+city+structures+earthquake+vulnerability/1547272/story.html

U.S. can't keep up with China on clean energy

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 4:42 PM

Country tops out globally in several industries
Apr 30, 2009
Gary Lamphier
The Edmonton Journal
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Opinion+keep+with+China+clean+energy/1549811/story.html

Deep emission cuts needed to limit global warming: scientists

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 4:41 PM

Apr 29, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/04/29/nature-climate-temperature.html

$825 million on tap to fuel innovation

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 4:41 PM

Caisse, Solidarity Fund ante up: Teralys Capital created to encourage investment in Quebec technology firms
Apr 28, 2009
The Gazette
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Business/million+fuel+innovation/1540435/story.html

Nortel's slide into oblivion

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 4:40 PM

Nortel has concluded it is too small to compete. The sale of major assets is set to begin—and Ottawa's nearly 4,000 workers are bracing for the outcome.
Apr 21, 2009
James Bagnall
The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Nortel+slide+into+oblivion/1508771/story.html

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

Canada's timid approach to science funding will bring diminishing returns

Evolution classes optional under proposed Alberta law

Scientists fear end of brain gain

Province's carbon tax rated the top climate policy in Canada

Ottawa's coal plan 'unrealistic'

Landmark Report on Canada's Innovative Economy

Canadian companies slow to innovate, study says

Ministers Welcome Council of Canadian Academies Report on Business Innovation in Canada

Ottawa's inaction could result in extinctions

Arctic nations must act at UN climate change conference: ministers

Canada should avoid the worst of swine flu, experts believe

Soot new culprit in Arctic's rapid melt

Engineers to test city structures for earthquake vulnerability

U.S. can't keep up with China on clean energy

Deep emission cuts needed to limit global warming: scientists

$825 million on tap to fuel innovation

Nortel's slide into oblivion

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