On the day after our 2021 conference, a virtual workshop was held to consider a response to the proposal for the National Environmental Prediction System (NEPS). The proposal is an ambitious plan to provide networking and technical linkages to allow researchers to find, review, contribute and improve data and models for prediction.
Our newly elected president, Kathryn Hassell, said “The idea of the NEPS is exciting and we support NCRIS funds being directed to towards improving environmental quality. There are many ways that a NEPS could help with the management of contaminants in the environment because modelling that predicts the impact of stressors is challenging, especially when considering multiple stressors on different scales. We need better datasets, tools and models to protect our unique environment from degradation. SETAC-AU implores that the NEPS consider environmental quality and contaminant management.”
The workshop identified several considerations for the NEPS project that would add value to the NCRIS investment and aid in maintaining Australia’s high environmental quality standards:
The benefits of these elements to the NEPS cannot be understated. They aim to protect the health of Australians now, and into the future, and protect our environment from degradation. They will result in a reduction of costs for both industry and governments and increase certainty for commercial activities. They will enable strategic international research partnerships. They will also improve the trust of the community and Indigenous people, providing social licence to operate.
Download and read SETAC AU's full submission below.