GeoPolicy

GeoPolicy: Scientific research in a changing European Union

Chloe Hill May 3, 2018

EGU Union Symposium. Credit: EGU / Keri McNamara

Scientific research in a changing European Union The 2018 EGU General Assembly was a huge success. Not only was it the biggest yet (with over 15,000 participants) but it also held a large variety of Short Courses, Townhalls and Union Symposia that gave the scientists attending a chance to step out of their comfort zone and learn about something other than their area of expertise. One example of su ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: Getting involved with policy at the 2018 General Assembly

Chloe Hill March 23, 2018

Time to get ready for the 2018 General Assembly! (Credit: EGU/Pfluegl)

The EGU General Assembly is an amazing event, not only because of its size but also due to the number of disciplines represented! This gives scientists, who are diligently focused on their specific research for the majority of the year, the chance to let loose and learn something a bit different. This year’s assembly will host a multitude of science-policy related sessions that aim to help researc ...[Read More]

Geopolicy: Combating plastic pollution – research, engagement and the EU Plastic Strategy

Chloe Hill February 23, 2018

Plastic pollution. Credit: mitchell haindfield (distributed via Flickr).

Awareness around the prevalence of plastic pollution, particularly in our oceans, has been growing over the last few years. This is not surprising considering that plastic production has surged from 15 million tonnes in 1964 to 311 million tonnes in 2014 and models have shown that this number will double again within the next 20 years in a business as usual scenario. Furthermore, research conducte ...[Read More]

Geopolicy: How does scientific uncertainty translate into policy?

Chloe Hill January 26, 2018

Direction and uncertainty. Credit: Elis Alves (distributed via Flickr).

Scientific uncertainty is one of the only things in science that is certain. It’s found in complex modelling systems, in the unpredictability of natural processes and even when there seems to be scientific consensus, a new scientific discovery can recreate ambiguity. But how do policymakers deal with scientific uncertainty when they are making decisions? Policymakers deal with and use scientific u ...[Read More]