Acting up

Elections such as Poland’s are only one way to effect change

The Covid-19 pandemic reminded the world of the importance of scientific evidence and advice in shaping policymaking. As politicians struggled over whether to introduce lockdowns, and their severity, researchers were on hand to provide help with actions that might work, which harms might need to be mitigated and what was simply unknown.

While the virus is still circulating and posing a threat, the world’s focus has largely moved on. But informed advice is equally crucial in tackling other challenges that are taking centre stage, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.