Background

Climate change is a pressing global challenge that requires multifaceted solutions. State and local governments have taken leadership by developing climate action plans and implementing policies to curb greenhouse gas emissions; however, because climate change exacerbates other societal issues, climate science input is needed in a broad swath of policy discussions. The Missouri Local Science Engagement Network (LSEN), founded in 2020 in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), seeks to elevate climate science in policy conversations to address climate change and its subsequent impacts at the state and local levels in Missouri. To do so, the LSEN encourages and equips scientists to 1. Build relationships with policymakers and better understand the policymaking process; 2. Develop timely and relevant scientific resources; 3. Submit public comments and informational testimony; and 4. Engage with the general public. The Missouri LSEN can serve as a model for other states and local government jurisdictions and lead to enhanced climate solutions.

Missouri is a geographically and culturally diverse state, ranging from rural agricultural regions to the urban population centers of Kansas City and St. Louis. Each eco-region will be uniquely impacted by projected climate change and extreme weather events, and thus, opportunities to engage in evidence-based policy, program, and practice discussions vary across the state.

In many places, local organizations have already initiated efforts to mitigate and adapt to extreme weather and climate change, but often lack resources to fully incorporate technical and scientific information into policies, programs, and practices. We have identified strategies for the Missouri Local Science Engagement Network to engage with policy-makers and community leaders to support ongoing efforts. Ultimately, we hope that these interactions will lead to long-term connections between scientific experts and decision-makers that will foster innovative climate solutions.

Due to climate change, Missouri has experienced an increase in average annual temperature and precipitation over the last half-century (Angel 2018). These changes have led to heavy precipitation and flooding during the springtime, particularly on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries. However, shifting rainfall patterns mean that summer droughts are likely to occur more frequently and with greater severity in the coming decades. Forest cover in the state is projected to decrease with rising temperatures (Conservation 2013). Agricultural production will be impacted by flooding and droughts, but also has the potential to mitigate climate change by promoting soil carbon sequestration (Missouri 2018). Urban areas are projected to experience increasingly poor air pollution and the impacts of urban heat islands as temperatures rise, leading to harmful effects on human health (Angel 2018).

Missouri ranks 27th in the nation for total energy per capita (U.S. 2020). While Missouri ranks 39th in total energy production compared to other states, it ranks 12th for carbon dioxide emissions (U.S. 2020). Missouri’s energy portfolio is dominated by coal, with 73% of the state’s energy provided by coal-fired power plants. The Calloway Nuclear Generating Station generates 13% of the state’s net electricity. In 2018, Missouri was home to ten biodiesel plants, with a production capacity that ranks 3rd in the nation. Missouri generates relatively low amounts of renewable energy, but wind and solar power generating capacity have more than doubled between 2015 and 2020 (U.S. 2020).

Missouri passed a comprehensive state-wide energy plan in 2015. This plan made policy and program recommendations regarding energy efficiency, energy affordability, diversity and security of supply, regulatory improvements, innovation, emerging technologies, and job creation. An updated state energy plan is being proposed by the Division of Energy and will be considered by the 2021 Missouri General Assembly.

To track with consumer demands, major public utility companies are increasing their renewable energy portfolios. Several other nonprofit and private companies provide products and guidance for reducing energy consumption, improving efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions. Further, researchers at public and private universities seek innovative solutions to the impacts of climate change on Missouri’s people, communities, and resources.

After the extensive flooding that occurred in 2019, Governor Parson signed an executive order to establish a flood recovery advisory working group. As a result of flooding in 2019, additional resources have been allocated to fund river infrastructure. For instance, the state secured a federal grant for $81.2 million to repair the Rocheport Bridge of I-70 over the Missouri River through an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant.

According to a report from the Soil Health Initiative, Missouri farmers increased their adoption of no-till and cover crop practices by 15.6% and 115.9%, respectively, between 2012 and 2017 (LaRose 2019). Approximately $20 million in annual funds are allocated to Missouri farmers for increasing their cover crop usage through several state and federal programs. Finally, there have been efforts to restrict development in floodplains by changing flood insurance criteria. Cities and towns along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are increasingly concerned about riverfront areas and historic places that may be at risk if rivers continue to flood more regularly.

Many rural workers are associated with food production in some capacity, thus, creating more adaptable and resilient agricultural systems may help rural Missouri communities deal with the impacts of climate change. The Missouri Department of Agriculture, Department of Conservation, and Department of Natural Resources have state-level conservation assistance programs (e.g., Agricultural Stewardship Assurance Program) and provide support for farmers who are utilizing federal conservation assistance as well (e.g., Conservation Reserve Program).

While the scientific community is beginning to understand the benefits of conservation agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and climate-smart agricultural practices on adapting to and mitigating climate change, adoption rates among farmers remain low. Partnerships among commodity groups, farmers, government agencies, and researchers to discuss innovative on-farm and food chain solutions may help to increase adoption. For instance, in 2018, the NGO Solutions for the Land identified three climate-smart agriculture pillars (Adaptation and Resiliency, Productivity, and GHG Reduction) and corresponding solution pathways and tactics (Missouri 2018). These findings offer a foundation upon which our efforts can build.

The Missouri Department of Conservation oversees Missouri’s Forest Action Plan, which contains goals and strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change on Missouri’s forests, but also for utilizing forests for climate change mitigation (Conservation 2013). Forest management research initiatives are typically a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service, University of Missouri, and Missouri Department of Conservation. The Forest Action Plan also identifies strategies for robust engagement with and educational resources for private landowners. The Nature Conservancy in Missouri is working on forest conservation in select watersheds to increase carbon storage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list a suite of potential health hazards caused or exacerbated by climate change. Hazards, such as allergens, diseases carried by insect vectors, and temperature extremes, could be especially harmful in the forested Ozarks region of Missouri. The Rural Ozarks Health Initiative was launched by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Missouri Foundation for Health in 2018 to address some of these worsening community health issues. Further, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Division of Tourism work to secure economic resources associated with eco-tourism in the Ozarks.

Missouri does not have a statewide climate action plan; however, several municipalities and regions have developed local climate action and adaptation plans. In Kansas City (KC), the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and Climate Action KC are coordinating a carbon emissions inventory and subsequent climate action plan. Several cities in St. Louis County have developed climate action plans (e.g., City of Creve Coeur) and the City of St. Louis has implemented several initiatives to combat climate change after completing a baseline inventory of carbon emissions in 2010. In larger cities where local governments have not directly addressed climate change, community organizations work to support sustainable programs and practices. Additionally, researchers at universities across the state are seeking solutions to local challenges in their respective communities.

Missouri’s scientific and research community can aid decision-makers in promoting evidence-based climate policy in several ways. Based on current efforts statewide and gaps in decision-maker knowledge, we recommend the following actions:

1. Become familiar with policymakers and the policymaking process

Just as it is challenging for non-scientists to pick up a journal article and use the information to make decisions, it is also challenging for scientists to inform the policymaking process without a baseline knowledge of how policies are made. Scientists should gain a basic understanding of how different levels of government function and the general jurisdictions of the various levels and branches of government.

It is not enough to read a textbook about how governments function. Often, there are several informal rules and processes specific to a government office or governing body. Scientists can learn about these unwritten rules by building relationships with policymakers. Not only does this help scientists to better understand the policymaking process, but it also begins to position them as trusted messengers of scientific information.

2. Develop timely scientific resources

Policymakers are often busy, and tend to lack ample resources at the local and state levels. It is therefore important for scientists to provide information to the right people at the right time in a format that is accessible. By understanding the policymaking process, scientists can effectively communicate information to the person most likely to have influence and use research and evidence to inform policy and at a time when policymakers are situated to use the scientific information to make a decision. The information provided must also be relevant to the policymakers and written for a non-scientific audience.

3. Submit public comments and informational testimony

Governing bodies provide several pathways to formally submit information for their consideration. Executive branches collect feedback through public comment opportunities where the general public can submit information related to pending executive actions. Legislative bodies often accept public testimony prior to voting on pending legislation. We encourage our members to testify for informational purposes, rather than explicitly testifying in support of or in opposition to a bill. This allows scientists to remain non-partisan, honest brokers of scientific information.

4. Engage with the general public

Policymaker decisions are highly influenced by their constituents, so one of the most powerful ways to inform policymakers is through their voters. Scientists should be active members of their communities and build relationships with neighbors, colleagues, and community partners in order to open discussion pathways for sharing information about climate action. We also encourage scientists to volunteer and contribute to community organizations that are already driving climate action in our state.

Angel, J., C. Swanston, B.M. Boustead, K.C. Conlon, K.R. Hall, J.L. Jorns, K.E. Kunkel, M.C. Lemos, B. Lofgren, T.A. Ontl, J. Posey, K. Stone, G. Takle, and D. Todey. 2018. “Midwest.” In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II, by D.R., C.W. Avery, D.R. Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.L.M. Lewis, T.K. Maycock, and B.C. Stewart Reidmiller, 872–940. Washington, DC, USA: U.S. Global Change Research Program.

Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri. 2013. Missouri Forest Action Plan. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri Department of Conservation.

LaRose, J. and R. Myers. 2019. Adoption of Soil Health Systesm Based on Data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture. Morrisville, NC, USA: Soil Health Institute.

Missouri Smart Agriculture Work Group. 2018. Missouri Smart Agriculture: Exploring a Path for Agriculture Resiliency in Missouri. Lutherville, MD, USA: Solutions from the Land.

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