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After reviewing the policy page and resources, one of the most effective ways you can bring science to policymakers is to establish relationships with your government officials wherever you are.
In the U.S., for example, citizens can get to know their Senators, Members of Congress and agency officials working on issues they care about most. Under "Policy Tools and Guidelines for SCB Members" on the navigation bar to the left, we have web sites for offices and research reports to help guide you through the international and U.S. federal policy ecosystems. U.S. SCB members may also want to call the Capitol Operator at 202-225-3121, and ask to be connected to the offices of your House Members and Senators and Committees of interest. |
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Welcome to the Society for Conservation Biology Policy web site.
The goal of the Society is to bring vital science to those making policy decisions helping them make sound judgments when creating policy.
Policy News:
SCB Comments on the Keystone XL Pipeline Project Proposed for the Alberta Oil Sands
SCB and Sister Societies’ Call for Scientific Integrity Across the Interior Department Sparks Response and Action
•Initial letter to Interior Secretary Salazar
•Interior’s Response
SCB appreciates the recent naming of SCB members as Scientific Advisors to US Fish and Wildlife Service and the former Minerals Management Service and looks forward to working with the Scientific Advisors of Interior to enhance the protection of science and of those who develop it and use it in the conservation of natural resources.
The June 2010 Edition of the
SCB Policy Insider
is now available
Click here to see what the SCB Policy team has been up to.
Earthbeat Radio Interview with John Fitzgerald
SCB's policy director was interviewed on 23 March. The recorded show here: http://www.earthbeatradio.org/home/
SCB and the White House – Recommendations to the 2008 Transition Team and Beyond
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Recommendations for actions by the Obama Administration and the Congress to advance the scientific foundation for conserving biological diversity
- Presidential Executive Order on Environmental, Energy & Economic Performance:
The Executive Order includes, among other things, requirements for agencies to account for the greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration on federal lands. Bullet 3 in Section 3 of SCB’s Recommendations to Obama and his transition team called for this order.
Click here to read the Presidential Executive Order on Environmental, Energy & Economic Performance, 10/5/2009
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SCB submits comments on scientific integrity to Obama administration, recommendations incorporated into final presidential memo
SCB submitted recommendations in mid-May 2009 as our part of a drive by President Obama to increase scientific integrity in the executive branch. The scientific integrity initiative was announced at an event in the White House on March 9th, attended by SCB’s Policy Chair John Fitzgerald. Click here to read these recommendations . The next steps involved a task force of SCB Members to work with the Administration and others to fulfill the promise that the President made, as more detailed recommendations were drafted. [Read more]
- Obama signs Memo on Scientific Integrity, March 9, 2009
President Obama in one memo today has taken several more steps toward implementing SCB's recommendations, and those of our allies, on protecting the integrity of science in the appointment and decision-making process. We will ask a task force of SCB Members to work with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Office of Management and Budget and others to fulfill the promise that the President has made today as they draft more detailed recommendations over the next 120 days. [Read more]
SCB Briefs Leaders on New Forest Findings, Climate Change and SCB Climate Policy Recommendations
Inspired by interest expressed by SCB leaders from around the world who attended our conference and climate-related workshops in Beijing in July of 2009, and propelled by new findings summarized in the Summer of 2009 in SCB’s Conservation Magazine, SCB’s policy staff, Policy Committee and others worked from late July into November distilling our previous testimony and incorporating new information into a short set of climate policy principles.
The basic message is that we now have evidence that whole rainforests can -- and in 2005 for one year, the Amazon did -- die faster than they grow, in response to climate driven drought and heat, in this case resulting in higher net emissions of carbon dioxide than the CO2 emitted by all of Europe and Japan. Because life as we know it relies upon the Amazon rain forest, and all forests, we do not have any significant room left for additional greenhouse gases and we must reduce them now. The climate policy principles offer ways forward and cite studies offering further details as well.
These principles and supporting notes are intended for climate negotiators, legislators, and executive agency decision-makers. Before the document’s release, and before the Committee reported its legislation to the Senate, SCB sent early drafts to Senate Environment Committee staff. SCB staff and senior members have briefed the Congressional Research Service, the staff of the Speaker of the House, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and others. We have also shared the document with senior staff of the United Nations Environment Programme under whose auspices the climate negotiations are taking place.
Accurate and Effective Use of Science in Forming and Applying Policy
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And a Suggestion for Scientific Review Procedures in Climate Policies
Click here to see the slides prepared for the symposium presentation at SCB’s European Conference, ECCB2009 (Prague, Czech Republic) by John Fitzgerald, SCB Policy Director and his suggestions at the end for ensuring the best science in climate policies
Policy News from the 2009 International Congress for Conservation Biology in Beijing
Among the many worthy symposia and workshops at ICCB in Beijing in July were two sessions that spoke directly to two of the greatest challenges that many nations, and China in particular face: climate change and controlling unsustainable trade in wildlife. Click on the links below to view the powerpoint presentations SCB's Policy Director used for those sessions:
Endangered Species News
• Comments in response to the Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement Related to Experimental Removal of Barred Owls for the Conservation Benefit of Threatened Northern Spotted Owls
• On July 17th 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that his department will overturn the Bush Administration recovery plan for the Northern Spotted Owl. This is a great step forward for the protection of the Spotted Owl. The US Fish and Wildlife Service also announced that it will reevaluate the Bush era critical habitat protections for the Bull Trout. SCB has worked with the Endangered Species Coalition (ESC) to get these flawed plans overturned. Our Policy Director, John Fitzgerald, has served as an advisor for ESC and many of our members were chosen by ESC to meet with congressional and administration officials about these plans. For more information on these announcements please visit the ESC blog.
IMCC Individual Scientists sign-on letter
As a part of the Marine Section’s International Marine Conservation Congress, SCB and the Marine Conservation Biology Institute hosted a hill day for conference attendees. Inspired by meetings with congressional staff, SCB and MCBI leaders drafted an individual scientists sign-on letter to request enhanced funding for NOAA. IMCC organizers circulated the letter for conference attendees to sign. While this letter was produced during the IMCC, SCB’s Marine Section may soon develop a more comprehensive request for appropriations.
SCB North American President Elect Testifies on Climate Change and Public Lands
On Wednesday, March 3 incoming President of the NA Section, Dominick DellaSala testified in the House subcommittee on national parks, forests, and public lands in a hearing on "combating global warming in public lands."
Dominick was assisted by SCB Policy Director John Fitzgerald and SCB policy intern Calen May Tobin. They made the rounds on the Hill before and after the hearing. There are several bills in the works in both the House and Senate on climate change and the Obama administration is also moving quickly on new policies. SCB is playing a key role in helping to shape these policies by bringing science and scientists to decision makers.
House Natural Resources Committee Membership and Plans for 2009
On February 4, the Committee on Natural Resources held an organizational meeting to adopt the Committee Rules and agree to an oversight plan. Visit the Committee Web site to the view the Committee Members and Subcommittee assignments for the 111th Congress.
Introductions to U.S. Federal Policy Work
Colleagues of ours at the Ornithological Council and National Council for Science and the Environment have written convenient introductions to the U.S. policy process and how to participate: Policy Basics (pdf) and Blockstein on Advocacy by Scientists (pdf)
Recent Happenings
Many of the SCB sections are busy at work with their regional policies. Below, you will find links to the SCB Sections' Policy Information:
Please email our Policy Director, John Fitzgerald, if you have any questions.
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