National Strategy for Framing and Prioritizing Environmental Protection Research and Development Topics

Abstract

One of the key methods for implementing the sustainability model in practice includes environmental vision and policy, goal setting, preference areas, and setting environmental research and development (ER&D) priorities. There are different ways to identify and prioritize the R&D of governments or international bodies, yet we have not found a comprehensive study or strategy regarding the framing and prioritization of ER&D at a national level. The aim of the study was to present a methodological approach, principles, and criteria for the prioritization of national ER&D. The study was initiated with a comprehensive literature review, including studies reported by a wide range of entities and countries, followed by the identification of eight principles to select ER&D priorities. Finally, each of the environmental issues was ranked in the frame of every principle, based on a quantitative criterion or criteria, considering global challenges, local needs, and capabilities.

Informing environmental health and risk priorities through local outreach and extension

“…These first two themes are similar to and consistent with results from other studies that identify top environmental health and risk priorities in other communities with an emphasis on water quality, natural resource management, and impacts of flooding (often framed within climate change contexts) (Bernhard et al 2013 ; Rocks et al 2017 ; Wu et al 2017 ; Tsui 2020 ; Wolfson et al 2020 ; Fu et al 2021 ). Further, these findings are also similar to other studies that emphasize the importance and need to engage stakeholders in approaches to manage environmental health risks (Briggs 2008 , O'Brien and Cummins 2008 , Wu et al 2017 , Morris et al 2020 ).…”

“…In fact, study participants indicated that Ecosystems & Land Use Management was the single biggest issue they currently face today and expect to face in the future, with supporting comments related to concerns over changing land use patterns due to urban, residential, and commercial development across the state. Participants’ concerns of impacts on ecosystems and land use management also relate to several other studies and reports that have identified environmental degradation and natural resource depletion as one of the top environmental health and risk issues faced at regional and national levels (Tsui 2020 ; Wolfson et al 2020 ; Fu et al 2021 ). Concurrently, there is value in noting that some studies report different priorities raised by study respondents from urban and rural communities.…”

“…Further, NC currently has one of the largest extension programs in the country, with offices and agents positioned in each of the state’s 100 counties, and therefore is well-positioned to identify top environmental health and risk issues and needs across the state. While there have been numerous studies that have identified environmental health and risk issues on global and regional scales (Bernhard et al 2013 ; Woods et al 2016 ; Rocks et al 2017 ; Wu et al 2017 ; Morris et al 2020 ; Wolfson et al 2020 ; Fu et al 2021 ; Wang et al 2021 ), there have not yet been any published studies that have focused on views of stakeholders located with NC specifically to the best of the authors’ knowledge.…”

The researcher's lament: Why do they ignore my science?

“…Because decision makers' priorities not only reflect judgments over areas of strategic significance, but also reveal societal preferences for necessary trade‐offs among multiple and competing claims over scarce assets (e.g., financial capitals, workforce availability, equipment disposition, and technical support). While the frameworks used by different organizations to set their priorities vary broadly in methodology and principles (Game et al, 2013; Sutherland et al, 2011; Wolfson et al, 2020), they all share a common goal: to articulate stakeholders' concerns, values, contexts, and preferences when framing the problem space , an analytical construct applied extensively in problem‐solving and decision analysis (Bardwell, 1991; Runge et al, 2020). The problem space is, in effect, the dimension that applied scientists may wish to enter and contribute to by anticipating the delivery, positioning, and value of their relevant products.…”

Infrastructure Development and Waterfront Transformations: Physical and Intangible Borders in Haifa Port City

“…Increased awareness of the oil industry's impact on the global climate crisis, a growing number of Haifa's citizens and environmental organizations attempted to resist the government's aspiration to expand fossil energy use and construction of the new Chinese port. New research on the connections between the oil industry, air, water, and soil pollution and public health (Nave & Kuperman, 2016;Spector Ben-Ari, 2014;Wolfson et al, 2020), risk of earthquake in the Haifa Bay, and the threat from terrorist attacks or bombings from Lebanon call for reducing risky factories and cleaning the area. As a result, Israel Lands Authority came up with a new plan for the Haifa Bay, 'Bay Gate Project,' also known as 'Bay of Innovation' (Yaar Architects, 2019), calling for the closure of the refineries and the conversion of Haifa Bay refineries to residential neighbourhoods, urban commerce, parks, and green lungs.…”