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Articles on Science advice

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President-elect Joe Biden opposes proposals to allow uranium mining around the Grand Canyon, which the Trump administration supports. Michael Quinn, NPS/Flickr

On environmental protection, Biden’s election will mean a 180-degree turn from Trump policies

The Trump administration has used executive orders, deregulation and delays to reduce environmental regulation. Biden administration officials will use many of the same tools to undo their work.
Molly Shoichet, Ontario’s first chief scientist, was fired by the provinces newly elected premier, Doug Ford. (Roberta Baker/University of Toronto)

Who needs science advice anyway? Governments, for one

Governments lean on science advisers for guidance on increasingly complex issues of great concern, including oil and gas development, drug legalization, water quality and the environment.
Flooding in Port Arthur, Texas during Hurricane Harvey, Aug. 31, 2017. According to the Climate Science Special Report released on Nov. 2, heavy precipitation events are becoming more frequent and intense in most regions of the world. SC National Guard

The climate science report Trump hoped to ignore will resonate outside of Washington, DC

On Nov. 2 the White House posted a detailed climate science report without comment. The Trump administration is unlikely to heed it, but it could boost state, local and private sector action.
Scientists provide key input to government agencies on issues such as improving oil spill prevention and response after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. U.S. Coast Guard

History shows that stacking federal science advisory committees doesn’t work

Can federal agencies stack advisory panels with friendly members? Some have tried, but a scientist who has advised many administrations says they will produce bad policies that lack broad support.
A president’s science advisor is traditionally a close confidant. AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

How does a US president settle on his science policy?

Innovation is a huge part of economic growth – and the White House needs to be well-informed on science and tech issues when setting goals and budgets. Here’s how presidents get up to speed.
Scientists do science to improve society. Africa’s challenges are a golden opportunity to demonstrate its value. Shutterstock

African scientists must step out and speak up if they want to add value

Africa’s complex and seemingly insurmountable social and economic problems are a golden opportunity to demonstrate the value that research can bring. Scientists need to rise to the challenge.
Corporate infiltration of expert advice is a battleground on both sides of the Atlantic. Igor Stevanovic

Why a US battle over corporate hijacking of science matters in Europe

On both sides of the Atlantic it would appear that evidence-based policy is in jeopardy. The scientific advice that government and regulators rely upon to inform their decision-making is under attack…

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