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Scientists push back against anti-forestry misinformation in the courtroom

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17 Sep, 2023

This post was originally published on Healthy Forest

A few years ago, a group of scientists published a research paper that examined the role of agenda-driven science in conservation- including the chronic misinformation that is preventing our public land managers from improving the health and resiliency of our federal forests.

The paper found that anti-forestry activists mixed science and litigation without disclosing potential conflicts of interest, “pressuring scientists and graduate students with different research findings to retract their papers,” and “selectively using data that support their agendas.”

One of the paper’s authors told the Sacramento Bee:

“I and my colleagues are getting really tired of the type of activism that pretends to be science and in fact is just self-serving garbage. If a lot of these environmental groups continue to stand by these antiquated and really counterproductive viewpoints, all we’re going to see is more catastrophic wildfire that destroys the very forests that they pretend to love.”

Last year, scientists published another paper discrediting, and “prebunking” several common anti-forestry talking points. The paper illustrates how misinformation becomes embedded in scientific literature, and how that misinformation is used in legal proceedings to halt forest management projects:

“The scientific literature is not immune to misinformation (West and Bergstrom 2021), which creates a quagmire when used in litigation. Wildfire misinformation in the courts can slow or halt efforts to implement management actions, such as restoring ecologically appropriate fire activity, even when they are based on robust scientific frameworks. Creating perceptions of uncertain wildfire science imitates a misinformation tactic employed by climate-change deniers and tobacco-industry proponents, helping “false experts” sow uncertainty (Cook 2020; Lewandowsky and van der Linden 2021).”

Activists commonly manufacture uncertainty, controversy and conflict over forest management because it attracts press coverage and donations. But it is also a very effective legal strategy, and now scientists are working to fight misinformation within the courtroom itself.

In 2022, several anti-forestry groups filed a lawsuit to preserve a 1990’s-era policy prohibiting the harvest of any trees larger than 21 inches in diameter at breast height on national forests in eastern Oregon. The U.S. Forest Service adopted a modest change to this policy that allows their land managers, in certain cases, to remove larger, less fire-tolerant trees in forest restoration and wildfire mitigation projects.

The groups allege the Forest Service violated the National Environmental Policy Act because thinning overstocked stands and restoring forests to historic conditions were “highly controversial” in the scientific community. Their lawsuit is based on studies by activists known to present their “findings” as peer-reviewed science.

This led Dr. James Johnston, a forestry professor at Oregon State University, to take the unusual step of filing an amicus curiae brief with the court, featuring a letter signed by 14 prominent forest ecologists, to make clear there was “no meaningful controversy” with respect to changes to forests over time, nor the effects of common restoration actions. In their letter, the ecologists write:

“Many of Plaintiffs’ arguments about scientific controversy appear to be a straw man designed to confuse salient issues rather than accurately characterize the state of the science. We believe that Plaintiffs’ arguments are designed to give the impression of scientific controversy where no meaningful controversy among scientists exists.”

The ecologists also attacked the integrity of the agenda-driven science that was presented to the court:

“The DellaSala/Baker report is full of mischaracterizations of other scientists’ research and contains no meaningful theoretical or empirical rebuttal of our findings or our colleagues’ findings. We believe the major point of the DellaSala/Baker report is simply to confuse the reader. Mischaracterizing other researchers’ work and then attacking that mischaracterization is in the nature of knocking down a straw man and does not demonstrate the existence of meaningful scientific controversy.”

The full amicus curiae, which includes extensive research can be found here, and it is worth reading. Not surprisingly, the anti-forestry groups are actively opposing Dr. Johnston’s legal motion to file his brief with the court in this pending litigation.

As anti-forestry groups become more aggressive and desperate to block responsible and restorative forest management activities, it is refreshing to see the scientific community push back on agenda-driven science.

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Source: Healthy Forest

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

Smith said, “Effective asset recovery strategies further support sustainability efforts. Integrating secure data erasure and refurbishment into IT governance policies lets businesses repurpose functional devices within the organisation or resell them to external buyers. Responsible e-waste recycling also supports companies to process materials ethically in instances where resale is not viable, reducing landfill contributions and preventing environmental contamination. The adoption of industry-certified data sanitisation methods also safeguards compliance with security and privacy regulations.”

2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

“IT governance must also align with corporate environmental, social and governance commitments. Companies can contribute to broader sustainability objectives by embedding environmental stewardship into IT policies, such as net-zero emissions targets and responsible supply chain management. Clear reporting mechanisms and regular sustainability audits aid transparency, letting businesses track their progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders,” Smith said.

Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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