HR: 14:10h
AN: ED33C-03    [Abstracts]
TI: Active and Focused Scientist Participation Improves Public Discourse
AU: * Ekwurzel, B
EM: bekwurzel@ucsusa.org
AF: Union of Concerned Scientists, 1707 H St NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States
AU: Grifo, F
EM: fgrifo@ucsusa.org
AF: Union of Concerned Scientists, 1707 H St NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States
AU: Cole, N
EM: ncole@ucsusa.org
AF: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238, United States
AU: Halpern, M
EM: mhalpern@ucsusa.org
AF: Union of Concerned Scientists, 1707 H St NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States
AU: Rogers, E
EM: erogers@ucsusa.org
AF: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2397 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704, United States
AB: Scientists are often dismayed at how the public discourse of controversial topics, such as global climate change, is often missing critical science developments. Active and focused scientist participation can help turn this trend around. Researchers who receive public funding for exploration into fundamental science have a wealth of information to share when their research touches upon topics that are relevant to the public. Taking the time to translate the top findings of your research into publicly accessible language is often a rewarding experience and can make all the difference. Scientists are viewed with trust by the public, the media, and policymakers. Case studies from the northeast United States and California will illustrate the best practices to enhance the active engagement of the scientific community and demonstrate how this can create change. The public discourse on climate change is moving rapidly forward and the consequences of scientists not participating will mount.
UR: http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/sound-science-initiative.html
DE: 0800 EDUCATION
DE: 1600 GLOBAL CHANGE
DE: 6309 Decision making under uncertainty
DE: 6620 Science policy (0485)
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting