The Salish Sea Expedition: Science Outreach from the Gangplank

Abstract

It is now recognized that geoscientists often lack the training to communicate their science effectively to the public and policy makers and have a somewhat poor track record in doing so. This is particularly important for those geoscientists whose research has an impact on public policy and community sustainability in areas such as landslides, floods, earthquakes, and other natural hazards, some of which are arguably going to increase in frequency and timing under global climate change. The Salish Sea Expedition was an attempt to bridge the disconnect between the scientific community and public understanding of science by stepping out onto the gangplank of public outreach – over waters that aren’t always comfortable or familiar for scientists. In October 2010, the Salish Sea Expedition took a Canadian marine research vessel, the CCGS Vector, to five communities around the inland Salish Sea, British Columbia, Canada, during the Canadian Science and Technology Week. Information was specifically tailored to link scientific research with the local areas, including how scientific research is helping those communities to plan for climate change and long-term sustainability. We learned during the expedition and during the writing of a map and guidebook as legacy items of the expedition just how differently the public and scientists see and understand the world. They’re often speaking totally different languages. To be considered credible and unbiased, scientists remove all reference to people in their discourse, and the Salish Sea Expedition put the human element back into marine geoscience research for coastal communities.