Programme / Implementation of the S20 recommendations: Scientific solution to keep a balance between promotion of industrial science and warning from environmental science?

This year, the S20 was held in Japan, featuring the emerging issue of marine plastic waste. As a result, the G20 Academies of Sciences calls for 6 recommendations including use of evidence-based advice, capacity building for both essential research infrastructures and human capital, and establishment of an improved data storage and management system that ensures open access by scientists globally.

     To implement these recommendations, there is a growing need for scientists to work multidisciplinary and to promote evidence-based policy toward the SDGs. There is, however, a risk of conflict; scientists from different disciplines have opinions that collide with one another and biased view in public image on particular science hinders the other with different objectives. It is almost unclear what are “known knowns”, “known unknowns” and “unknown unknowns” related to many sustainable development issues, such as SDGs including new problem of plastic waste. The amount of microplastics in the ocean is uncontrollably increasing (known knows). However, how much amount of microplastics are lethal to marine organisms or human is still unknown (known unknowns). There might be a further potential risk of smaller plastics (nanoplastics) (unknown unknows). Such recently recognized environmental issues need public awareness and urgent action to protect and preserve natural resources. On the other hand, negative public image on plastics may hinder promotion or development of associated industrial science.

     Given the circumstances, the objectives of this session is twofold: 1) to discuss and find ways to keep a good balance between promotion of industrial science and protection of natural resources, utilizing sometimes insufficient evidence in environmental science, and 2) to make balanced science advice to implement the S20 recommendations and to avoid possible conflicts and public confusion in terms of achieving SDGs.