The need for a formalised system of Quality Control for environmental policy-science

Larcombe, Piers; Ridd, Peter V.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.038

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…As with the controversy concerning limiting nutrients in Moreton Bay, assessments of eutrophication status and solutions for the GBR have been the subject of "vicious" debates within the scientific community. In an ongoing feud, Larcombe and Ridd (2018) argue that systemic failings occur in the quality control of environmental science, especially in "agenda-driven science" used to inform government policy. They cited the science related to eutrophication of the GBR as a case in point, concluding that it overstates declines in ecosystem conditions and the need for the prescribed management actions.…”

Section: Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and Bridges in Abating Coastal Eutrophication

Boesch

2019

Front. Mar. Sci.

136

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Over the past 30 years concerted campaigns have been undertaken to reverse nutrient-driven eutrophication in coastal waters in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. Typically, eutrophication abatement has proven a more recalcitrant challenge than anticipated, with ecosystem improvements only recently beginning to emerge or falling short of goals. Reduction in nutrient loads has come mainly from advanced treatment of wastewaters and has lagged targets set for diffuse agricultural sources. Synthesis of the major campaigns-varying in terms of physical settings, ecosystem characteristics, nutrient sources, socio-economic drivers, and governance-identified barriers inhibiting eutrophication abatement and potential bridges to overcome them. Actionable science can be advanced by: application of the well-established and emerging knowledge and experience around the globe, client-responsive strategic research, and timely and conclusive adjudication of scientific controversies. More accountable governance requires: enduring engagement of high-level officials of the responsible governments; effective communication of the causes, risks and benefits to the public and stakeholders; quantitative and accountable allocation of responsibility for nutrient load reductions; and binding requirements, as opposed to simply voluntary actions. Effective reduction in nutrient loads requires: reduction strategies for both nitrogen and phosphorus; inclusion of actions that reduce atmospheric emissions of nitrogen in addition to direct inputs to waterways; efficacious regulations; public subsidies based on performance; limitations on biofuel production that increases nutrient loads; and enhancing the sinks and losses for legacy nutrients retained in soils and groundwater. Outcomes must be measured and strategies appropriately adjusted through: sustained monitoring of essential indicators and processes, the use of multiple models, truly adaptive management, and cautious interventions within the coastal ecosystem. The changing climate must be taken into account by reassessing achievable future conditions and seeking alternatives for mitigating and adapting to climate change that also reduce nutrient loads.

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Section: Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and Bridges in Abating Coastal Eutrophication

Boesch

2019

Front. Mar. Sci.

136

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“…The Minister in his approval played down the damage to the Great Barrier Reef, groundwater, and climate. There is ample scientific evidence from within the Australian and international scientific community on the damage to the underground water system and to the GBRWHA [ [12] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] ].…”

Section: The Ccmrp and The Failure Of Legal Safeguardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The project has serious damaging consequences for climate change, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), the Great Artesian Basin (Australia's largest groundwater aquifer), endangered species, and socio-economic impact on the rights of indigenous landowners [ 19 ]. Despite a near consensus among the scientific community about the irreversible environmental damage that this and other projects in the region would cause [ [12] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] ], the developer and the government managed to overcome the legal challenges and sidelined various scientific assessments [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extract or conserve? The Hartwick-rule and sustainable environmental governance

Lodhi

2024

Heliyon

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“…These controversies are divisive and complex, often focussed on very specific issues, and, because of the emotive nature of terms such as “bias” and “flawed science,” are unlikely to lead to change without considerable, extended, uncomfortable debate. However, these vexed questions relating to the reliability and quality of science that informs public policy (Larcombe & Ridd, 2018) highlight a more fundamental concern, that of the impact of poorly validated science on the accurate translation of “scientific knowledge” into effective decision‐making, planning and policy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fanelli, Costas, & Ioannidis, 2017) and “flawed science” (e.g. Clark et al., 2020; Larcombe & Ridd, 2018). These controversies are divisive and complex, often focussed on very specific issues, and, because of the emotive nature of terms such as “bias” and “flawed science,” are unlikely to lead to change without considerable, extended, uncomfortable debate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The consequences of paradigm change and poorly validated science: The example of the value of mangroves to fisheries

et al. 2020

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Accuracy in representing, communicating and reporting science is critical to the translation of science into knowledge. Any lack of accuracy degrades the quality and reliability of consequent decisions. One common cause of inaccuracy is the use of superseded paradigmatic concepts with a lack of careful validation. This leads to evidentiary dissonance (an apparent abundance of evidence with little basis in actual reported scientific findings). We illustrate the nature and consequences of evidentiary dissonance using the example of estimates of the value of mangroves to fisheries, which are key motivators of decision‐making around land‐use activities in mangroves systems, mangrove restoration and disturbance offset initiatives. Causes include the use of inappropriate or inaccurate data and inadequate support for reasoning used to develop estimates of fisheries value. Evidentiary dissonance in linking estimates to scientific understanding has produced a citable and cited body of work with tenuous foundations in current ecological understanding, and a body of literature that is likely to lead to unrealistic expectations, misdirected and wasted resources, and perverse management outcomes.

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The need for a formalised system of Quality Control for environmental policy-science

Cited by 12 publications

References 60 publications

Barriers and Bridges in Abating Coastal Eutrophication

Barriers and Bridges in Abating Coastal Eutrophication

Extract or conserve? The Hartwick-rule and sustainable environmental governance

The consequences of paradigm change and poorly validated science: The example of the value of mangroves to fisheries

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