importance of science literacy in policy- making · importance of science literacy in policy-...
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Importance of Science Literacy in Policy-Making
Union CollegeOctober 21, 2010
Commissioner William OstendorffUS Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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What do the following questions have in common?
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Are genetically modified foods a solution to world hunger or a risk
to our food supply?
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Should childhood vaccinations be
required?
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How should we use and protect personal genetic information?
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Are biofuels “green”?
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So, what do the following questions have in common?
SCIENCE IS NEEDED TO HELP INFORM THE ANSWERS
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What is Science?
Scie●nce [saī’əns] n. Knowledge, esp. that gained through experience.
-Webster’s II Riverside Dictionary
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Science is Powerful• Scientific knowledge creates power• Power allows for the application of science
• “Scientific knowledge is a body of statements of varying degrees of certainty – some are mostly unsure, some nearly sure, none are absolutely certain.”
- Richard Feynman, Nobel Physicist
Photo of Deep-Space from Infrared Telescope
Science ≠ Certainty
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Keep in mind...
SCIENCE
Directions For Use: (1) Question; (2) Research; (3) Hypothesize; (4) Experiment; (5) Analyze and Interpret; (6) Communicate ; and (7) Repeat
Caution: Application will most likely lead to more questions!
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Scientific Method in Everyday Life
You arrive home and flip the switch• Is the power out?• If power out, neighborhood dark• Look outside• No lights. • Ok, but what if coincidence?• Try another lamp• Is bulb out… lamp plugged in?
Results often lead to more questions
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Importance of Science Education
…evaluate evidence, results, and claims related to the natural sciences or technology and understand their impact on broader human or societal issues
…promote critical thinking
…be able to reason quantitatively
…be able to think logically, solve problems that require multiple steps
…demonstrate problem-solving methods in science and technology
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Case Study: Deforestation
POLICY• Carbon Credits• Water Scarcity• Land-use• Endangered Species• Conservation• Developing Countries• Farming Subsidies
SCIENCE• Photosynthesis• Thermodynamics• Agriculture Science• Biology• Forestry Ecology• Population Statistics• Economics
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Source: United Nations Environment Program, http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/historical-forest-carbon-balance-1855-1995
Historical Forest Carbon Balance 1855-1995
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Major Producers of Palm Oil
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Science and Policy IntersectionNeed for carbon reduction policy
Tax incentive promoting biodiesel
production
Biodiesel demand
increases
Deforestation for palm oil
plantations
Release CO2
Need for agriculture
policy
Food prices increase
Source: http://oilpalm-biodiversity.info/?page_id=642
Subsidy for increased farming
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Case Study: Energy Policy
POLICY• Reliable Base-load
Power• Land-use and Waste• Subsidies & Loan
Guarantees• Carbon Tax• Pollution and
Contamination
SCIENCE• Physics &
Geography• Energy Density• Economics &
Mathematics• Climate Science• Health Physics &
Radiation
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Nuclear32%
Coal10%
Oil2%
Gas32%
Hydro20%
Renewable4%
New York Electricity Sources
Nuclear20%
Coal45%Oil
1%
Gas23%
Hydro7%
Renewable4%
US Electricity Sources
US and New YorkElectricity Sources
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2009
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Converting Sun Energy to Area Solar Panel Required
• 6.7 kWh for 1 year– 2450 kWhrs/m2
• 12,000 kWh/yr per person– 5m2 of sunlight
• 15% efficiency– 33m2 of panels
• 0.5 min to avg ratio– 66m2 of panels
• 15% capacity margin– 75m2 of panels
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Nuclear Power and Energy Mix in the New Millennium
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Radiation and Groundwater
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Concluding Thoughts
• Scientific knowledge is powerful in that it enables the use of technology.
• Scientific understanding does not equal consensus.
• There is potential for the misapplication of science.
• A better-informed public leads to better public policy.
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QUESTIONS?