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CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF SUCCESS IN CONSERVATION POLICY

We have accomplished a great deal during the first two years of SCB's policy program. We have adopted policy priorities, developed ways to engage conservation professionals in the policy process, and provided information to decision makers that increased the effectiveness of conservation policies in the United States and globally. A recent editorial in Conservation Biology argued that the credibility afforded to scientists by the public increases in direct proportion to their effective and respectful interactions in the public and policy arenas (Alagona 2008). Our ongoing actions can empower scientific societies, governments, and markets to improve conservation of biological diversity and, in turn, give us a stronger voice in the policy arena.

Although the global economy has changed rapidly, the most important conservation-policy challenges faced by the United States and the world are still aligned with the policy priorities adopted by SCB in early 2007: climate change, scientific integrity in decision-making and environmental assessment programs, international treaties and conventions that affect biological diversity, biological security (controlling importation of non-native species and illegally harvested species), and improving the environmental consequences of investment and procurement policies. In the United States, the process for addressing these challenges is changing in light of the new Obama Administration and economic recession.

Addressing Challenges for the Obama Administration

In the United States, we are encouraging Congress and the Executive Branch to respond to ultimate as well as proximate causes of declines in environmental quality. Lately, Congress has tended to respond in haste to apparent emergencies every few weeks rather than by synthesizing information on the problem, introducing legislation, seeking input on the legislation, and discussing and amending the bill. The result of the latter process is usually more democratic, transparent, and logical than a quick reaction. Moreover, a relatively rushed and guarded process usually limits access by conservation professionals regardless of the quality of their input.

Five to 47 positions per department and agency require Senate confirmation. If you are a U.S. citizen, you may wish to encourage your senators to ask nominees how they might address the issues raised in SCB's recommendations to the Obama Administration. You might suggest specific questions that reference examples from your state. Citizens of other countries can send thoughts on issues that might be addressed in the hearings (e.g., loans and policies of the World Bank) to their colleagues in the United States.

The U.S. government often operates by unspoken rules about budget allocations, environmental regulations, and lobbying that have become well established over time regardless of administration. We should be careful to measure our enthusiasm in response to any positive change. President Obama or a new chair of a congressional committee may have the best of intentions, but we still should evaluate their proposals carefully and critically.

Innovations by Obama

To coordinate among agencies and deliver cohesive progress on a few top priority issues despite disagreement, Obama announced his intention to include about six high-level policy positions on the White House staff. Among the first of these to be named was Carol Browner, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the Clinton Administration. She will oversee portions of approximately six different departments and agencies as the Administration formulates its policies on climate change, energy, and other environmental issues.

Obama has shown an intention to be more transparent and to invite participation in government through the internet. President Carter set a precedent for similar efforts. By 1978, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had begun to pay the costs incurred by nonprofit public interest groups and others in offering information to federal agencies that would build greater consensus and avoid litigation in the long run. Scientific societies such as SCB may be well positioned to help revitalize such a process.

Obama also has declared that he will protect the integrity of science and protect scientific staff of federal agencies. SCB not only has concurred with these measures but has recommended affirmative support and assistance for federal employees who wish to participate in the activities and governance of scientific societies. Such professional service was highly curtailed by some federal agencies in recent years.

Collaborative Development of Recommendations for Action

SCB recently developed recommendations for actions by the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress to advance the scientific foundation for conserving biological diversity. During this process, we reached out to other professional societies, groups, and individuals concerned with defending scientific integrity in wildlife and environmental law. These conversations helped us to refine the final recommendations.

Similar collaborations have strengthened other policy activities. For example, SCB helped to develop and chair a breakout session at the 2008 annual conference of the National Council on Science and the Environment (NCSE). We helped attendees from Maryland to clarify their messages to the offices of their congressional representatives. In addition, we arranged for SCB and NCSE to present their recommendations to Obama's transition team two days after the NCSE conference. We hope to expand such cooperation during 2010.

On a personal note, I recall that in the mid 1990s, some members of Congress reacted to extensive flooding in the Midwest by proposing to exempt from the Endangered Species Act any federal action that addressed flood control. Many religious leaders reminded their elected officials of the story of Noah's Ark, in which humans recognized an obligation to conserve all species in the wake of massive flooding. The congressional proposal was withdrawn. We now have another opportunity to guide the metaphorical ark of good policy, and I encourage all members to consider how they might contribute.

John Fitzgerald

NOTE: On 15 January, Congressman Nick Rahall introduced a joint resolution invoking the Congressional Review Act to overturn recent regulatory changes to the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The changes would affect requirements for federal consultation on activities or decisions that might affect species protected under the act. SCB, the Ornithological Council, and The Wildlife Society jointly submitted comments critical of these proposed changes in September 2008.

Literature Cited

Alagona, P.S. 2008. Credibility. Conservation Biology 22:1365-1367.

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