Selin Publishes Journal Article in Ambio on Minamata Convention
Henrik Selin, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, was the lead author of a recent article identifying and examining three broader areas in which researchers across the natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences can mobilize and disseminate knowledge in support of the objective of the Minamata Convention on Mercury to protect human health and the environment from the dangers posed by mercury.
The article, entitled “Linking Science and Policy to Support the Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury,” was published on January 31, 2018 in the journal Ambio, which is published by Springer on behalf of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
From the text of the abstract of the article:
The Minamata Convention on Mercury, with its objective to protect human health and the environment from the dangers of mercury (Hg), entered into force in 2017. The Convention outlines a life-cycle approach to the production, use, emissions, releases, handling, and disposal of Hg. As it moves into the implementation phase, scientific work and information are critically needed to support decision-making and management. This paper synthesizes existing knowledge and examines three areas in which researchers across the natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences can mobilize and disseminate knowledge in support of Hg abatement and the realization of the Convention’s objective: (1) uses, emissions, and releases; (2) support, awareness raising, and education; and (3) impacts and effectiveness. The paper ends with a discussion of the future of Hg science and policy.
Henrik Selin conducts research and teaches classes on global and regional politics and policy making on environment and sustainable development. His most recent book is EU and Environmental Governance, by Routledge Press, and is also the author of Global Governance of Hazardous Chemicals: Challenges of Multilevel Management by MIT Press.