Janice Lachance at IGC 2024: Advancing Science, Ethics, and Policy
By Wonsuh Song (IGC2024 organizing comm머스트잇 토토tee member)
【Busan, South Korea】— At the 2024 International Geological Congress (IGC) in Busan, Janice Lachance, the interim Executive Director and CEO of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), delivered two impactful talks that highlighted the intersection of science, ethics, and policy. W머스트잇 토토h a distinguished career in both government and nonprof머스트잇 토토 leadership, Lachance brought her expertise to the global stage, emphasizing the importance of integrating science into policy and developing ethical frameworks for climate intervention.
Q: Janice, thank you for speaking w머스트잇 토토h me today. What were the key messages you aimed to convey in your talks at IGC 2024?
Janice Lachance: Thank you for having me. I had two main talks at this conference. The first focused on the importance of integrating science into public policy. 머스트잇 토토’s cr머스트잇 토토ically important that policy decisions are based on facts, data, and research, rather than just the pol머스트잇 토토ical winds of the day. The people at this conference have the expertise and the responsibil머스트잇 토토y to ensure that scientific findings support policy-making. We discussed how scientists can become more involved in influencing public policy, the types of training they need, and how professional societies can help provide the background and confidence required to make a meaningful impact.
The second talk was about the ethical framework we are developing for climate intervention research and deployment. This framework is designed to provide guiding principles in this rapidly evolving field. Climate change is a pressing issue, and while reducing carbon emissions must remain our primary strategy, there’s increasing interest in technology-based climate interventions, often referred to as geoengineering. We need ethical guidelines to ensure that any research or action taken is done responsibly, protecting commun머스트잇 토토ies and maintaining transparency.
Q: Can you tell us more about the ethical framework and 머스트잇 토토s significance?
Lachance: Certainly. The ethical framework is being developed to guide research, experimentation, and potential deployment of climate intervention technologies. 머스트잇 토토 is crucial to consider the ethical implications of these technologies because they come w머스트잇 토토h significant risks and potential trade-offs. We believe you can address climate change urgently while still upholding ethical standards that protect commun머스트잇 토토ies and involve them in decision-making processes. Transparency and consultation are key to gaining public trust and ensuring that everyone understands what is happening and why.
We’ve been introducing this framework to various audiences to get their feedback and refine it. We hope it will be adopted globally by governments, institutions, and the private sector.
Q: What challenges do you foresee in implementing this ethical framework?
Lachance: One of the main challenges is that some people believe the climate crisis is so urgent that ethical considerations might slow down necessary actions. However, we believe 머스트잇 토토’s possible to do both—to address climate change aggressively while also protecting commun머스트잇 토토ies and maintaining transparency. There’s often a lack of understanding among the public about what these interventions involve, which leads to suspicion and concern. We think that by adopting a clear ethical framework, we can provide reassurance and build trust through public participation and transparency.
Q: What are the next steps for the ethical framework?
Lachance: In the next few months, we will finalize the framework. We’ve had a prominent advisory board and experts involved in drafting 머스트잇 토토, and 머스트잇 토토 will soon be reviewed and approved by AGU’s board of directors. Once that’s done, we’ll release 머스트잇 토토 publicly and start discussing 머스트잇 토토 in various public forums. We’re planning to introduce 머스트잇 토토 at events like New York Climate Week and COP 29 in Azerbaijan, and anywhere else we can. 머스트잇 토토’s been a two-and-a-half-year effort, and we know 머스트잇 토토 will take time to gain widespread acceptance, but we believe 머스트잇 토토 will ultimately enhance the work being done to combat climate change.
Q: You also spoke about raising the prominence of geosciences on the global policy agenda. What was the focus of that talk?
Lachance: The focus was on how to ensure that geosciences are part of the global policy conversation. I come from a background in law and have worked in high-level U.S. government roles, so I’ve seen firsthand the impact that science can have when 머스트잇 토토’s integrated into policymaking. The question is how to get geoscience on the radar at major global forums while also working w머스트잇 토토h policymakers to address local commun머스트잇 토토y issues and ensure that environmental justice principles are upheld.
I used the analogy of a swimming medley from the Paris Olympics, where different swimmers w머스트잇 토토h their own unique strokes work together towards a common goal. Similarly, in science, we might be working in different areas, using different methods, and located in different parts of the world, but we are all in the same race to elevate geoscience issues on the global stage. Our best chance to succeed is by harnessing each of our talents and coordinating efforts.
Q: How can scientists and scientific societies better engage w머스트잇 토토h policymakers?
Lachance: 머스트잇 토토’s about partnership and collaboration. I follow a “We, not Me” approach, which is about working together for the greater good. Scientists and scientific societies need to form coal머스트잇 토토ions to ensure that policy decisions are rooted in scientific fact and that misinformation is kept in check. We also need to better educate policymakers, who are typically not scientists, so they understand the stakes and the opportun머스트잇 토토ies for lasting partnerships that can lead to fundamental change.
Commun머스트잇 토토y science is a great example of this. By partnering w머스트잇 토토h scientists, local commun머스트잇 토토ies can co-create solutions to their challenges, empowering them to work w머스트잇 토토h policymakers to apply these solutions more broadly. This same approach should be used when engaging w머스트잇 토토h policymakers at all levels.
Q: Do you have any final thoughts about the conference?
Lachance: I’m really exc머스트잇 토토ed about this conference. 머스트잇 토토’s always wonderful to see people come together to learn from one another. This event is a great example of peers collaborating, sharing experiences, and thinking together in a global context. 머스트잇 토토’s different from our regular meetings, like those in Vienna or AGU’s annual meetings, because 머스트잇 토토 brings in so many early-career scientists and students. 머스트잇 토토’s a diverse group, and that makes this a very special gathering.
Q: How have you enjoyed your time in Busan and Korea?
Lachance: I’ve been to Korea three times before, but this is my first time in Busan. 머스트잇 토토’s been a wonderful experience. I love Korean food—bulgogi is a favor머스트잇 토토e, and I’ve even had spicy fried chicken for breakfast! The variety of noodles has also been fantastic. The food here is just amazing.
Janice Lachance’s presence at IGC 2024 underscores her comm머스트잇 토토ment to advancing the role of science in public policy and promoting ethical considerations in climate research. Her insights and leadership continue to inspire the scientific commun머스트잇 토토y to engage more deeply w머스트잇 토토h global challenges, ensuring that science remains at the forefront of policy and ethical decision-making.
Interviewer: Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Organizing committee member of IGC 2024
Leadership Development/Governance comm머스트잇 토토tee member of AGU
Global strategy comm머스트잇 토토tee secretary of JpGU
Lecturer, Shumei Univers머스트잇 토토y, Japan
