Center for Environmental Policy
The goals of the Center for Environmental Policy, a new initiative by The Academy of Natural Sciences, are to evaluate key issues of environmental policy, facilitate dialogues and decision-making on environmental topics, and inform the public from both an academic and practical perspective. Building upon it successful Town Square series, the Center will answer the need for a non-partisan, science-based organization that is capable of accessing and guiding a myriad of public and private environmental stakeholders.
The Center is not a traditional advocacy organization nor will it be involved in lobbying or direct constituency-building. Rather, it will inform and engage various constituents, promote solutions, and build awareness on important topics. Its activities will fall into the following categories:
- Public Communications: Drawing upon the Academy's scientific expertise, the Center will inform public debate on science-related policy questions;
- Public Science: Since 2004, the Academy's Town Square series has helped build public awareness and facilitated public dialog on a range of environmental and scientific issues. The Center will continue this programming and integrate it into its other activities;
- Decision-making Support: The Center will invite policy makers and scientists to participate in programming designed to better understand and address enviromnental issues and challenges;
- Research: The Center will support academic research on environmental policy, resulting in work suitable for technical workshops and symposia, scholarly and public publications, and public outreach.
The Center for Environmental Policy is currently undertaking the following projects:
- Green Museums: Working in collaboration with the Clinton Climate Change Initiative and the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Sustainability, the center is supporting efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of Philadelphia's museums and cultural institutions;
- Interfaith Environmental Network: The center is coordinating Philadelphia faith-based organizations who want to be involved in stewardship of the environment. This effort grew from the recognition that large number of religious groups and institutions are pursuing environmental goals largely in isolation from one another and from the traditional environmental movement;
- Philadelphia Recycling Symposium: On November 15, 2008, the Academy will work with the Philadelphia Recycling Coalition to sponsor public meetings of city officials, recycling professionals, activists, and community leaders to develop policy and raise awareness, marking a week-long push by the city to emphasize recycling.
- The Urban Sustainability Forums: The Academy will continue to sponsor and host this series of public meetings from its Town Square series. The forums are designed to help Philadelphia become the greenest, most livable city in America. The Forum will be an ongoing site for cutting-edge ideas on the urban environment as well as an opportunity for dialogue between experts, decision-makers, and the public.