NAPAP: A lesson in science, policy

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6276590

Russell, M ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville (United States)

Perplexing environmental questions, such as acid rain and global warming, cry out for policy solutions based upon solid scientific evidence. Scientists and politicians agree on this but have trouble finding an effective way to do it. Milton Russell of the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory describes a major, but only partially successful, effort that he believes contains valuable lessons for scientists and policy makers in the future. It is the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP), launched in 1980 to generate the latest scientific evidence to guide national debate on clean-air legislation. The program [open quotes]created an unprecedented body of scientific research on an environmental issue of the first order,[close quotes] Russell says. Yet, he admits, its influence was virtually nil on the legislation that ultimately emerged on the subject. Russell blames this lack of influence on NAPAP's failure to provide adequate assessment of its research findings, its failure to communicate the results on a timely and effective basis, and on [open quotes]political forces that sought legislation rather than a full explication of issues.[close quotes] Out of the experience, Russell finds lessons for the future: [open quotes]First, if the scientific finding are to have an impact on policy, assessment must become a priority as important as scientific research. Second, for projects designed to help decision makers, scientific research must be considered a resource, not an end product. Third, timely, lucid communication must be an essential element of the project, not a marginal activity.[close quotes] NAPAP, Russell concludes, [open quotes]proved a long-term scientific success and a short-term policy disappointment.[close quotes] Then he warns, [open quotes]Future science programs ignore the NAPAP experience at their own risk.[close quotes]

• OSTI ID: 6276590
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
293000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
ACID RAIN
ANIMALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LEGISLATION
MAMMALS
MAN
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PERSONNEL
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PRIMATES
PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
RAIN
SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL
US NAPAP
US ORGANIZATIONS
VERTEBRATES