peer review


Endangered Columbian white-tailed deer on Tenasillahe Island at Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.

New Endangered Species Peer-Review Policy Scores A Point for Independent Science

, Research Director, Center for Science and Democracy

September 7, 2016 11:44 AM EDT

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released an update to its peer review policy for endangered species listings. The new policy takes a step forward in terms of safeguarding the science that informs endangered species listing decisions. While the provisions could be stronger in a few areas, the new policy takes strong steps toward more robust and transparent peer-review at the agency, following efforts by a group of independent scientists working with the Union of Concerned Scientists and others to improve science-based decisions around endangered species. Read more >

Photo: Blu Chaney, USFWS: CC BY 2.0/Flickr
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The U.S. National Climate Assessment: A Detailed Evaluation of the Scientific Evidence on Climate Change

, , director, Center for Science & Democracy

April 24, 2014 4:23 PM EDT

We have heard a lot in the past few weeks about the latest international assessment of climate change impacts as new reports have been finalized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Of course climate change is a global phenomenon occurring over decades and, for many, it is hard to relate to new information about global changes. But help is on the way! The third U.S. National Climate Assessment is scheduled for release on May 6. Read more >

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Scientific Advice for the New EPA Carbon Emissions Standards: Let’s Clear the Air

, director, Center for Science & Democracy

January 22, 2014 5:23 PM EDT

This month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed new standards limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions from new electricity generating power plants using coal or natural gas. Allegations of secrecy and political interference in science began to surface even before the proposal was released. So do these allegations have any merit? Read more >

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Cautiously Open to Open Science

, Research Director, Center for Science and Democracy

May 23, 2013 1:07 PM EDT

Last week I was asked to peer-review a manuscript for a top academic journal in my field of study. I accepted the invitation and spent several hours of my weekend reading and critiquing 30 pages of dry technical writing. Did I get paid to do this? Nope. Did I get credit for it? Not really (reviewers are typically anonymous). So why would I waste a precious Saturday for this? Read more >

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Supreme court

A Case Study in Scientific Integrity: The Science Behind Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards

, former science policy fellow

September 27, 2011 11:40 AM EDT

Last week, the administration delayed the release of a proposed rule on the regulation of global warming emissions from power plants. This came on the heels of a decision to withdraw a science-based standard for ground-level ozone pollution. Read more >

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