Too often in the past scientific solutions to practical problems have been lost between the laboratory where they were created and the place where they were meant to be put into action.
Jenny Webster-Brown is determined that will not be the case at Our Land and Water, where she will soon take over from Ken Taylor as director of the AgResearch-hosted science challenge that aims to enhance the production and productivity of New Zealand’s primary sector while maintaining and improvin land and water for future generations.
The eight-year challenge has four years to run and Webster-Brown wants to see real change in that time.
The former director of the Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management, a joint initiative between Lincoln and Canterbury universities, retired from university work last year, planning to work as a water quality consultant.
That was before she saw her latest role advertised, which was too good to pass up.
“I’m looking forward to leading the Our Land and Water Challenge as it does the critical job of translating science into a real, lasting change in the way Aotearoa manages our water and land resources, with the potential to impact every New Zealander.
“It’s an opportunity to make a real contribution to help change the direction of the primary sector so it is more environmentally, economically and culturally viable.”
She is keen to see some of the leading science being done in NZ translate into real action and to provide support to help make the necessary changes.
There have been too many instances in the past of scientists working in their labs, generating ideas that have never been applied in practice and have instead been dropped into the chasm of doom.
There needs to be a bridge across the chasm to ensure solutions are practical and understandable so new practices can be adopted and changes made.
For that to happen there needs to be a real understanding of different perspectives and collaboration to find consensual solutions.
Interdisciplinary science and research will play a key role but effective communication of science using language and ideas non-scientists can understand will be critical.
She is confident that can happen.
“There are some great science communicators out there but to make changes we have to bring everyone with us.
“Everyone has to believe it’s right to make the transformation and be willing to do so.”
In general, New Zealanders, not just farmers but also urban populations, have taken freshwater for granted, oblivious to what was happening to it, treating it as an abundant resource that could be continually used without consequence.
Webster-Brown says on the east coast of both islands, including Canterbury where she lives, water shortages and drought have promoted a growing understanding of the need to view fresh water as a vital and limited resource.
Those dry conditions, which have seen small streams and springs disappearing, have brought home to people the pressure on fresh water and the need to change how it is used because it is a limited and precious resource.
Attitudes are evolving, both in farming and at a policy level so water is no longer viewed as a resource that can be continually used in high volumes.
Most farmers are aware of the need to protect fresh water and are already taking steps but there will always be some who are slower than others to adapt.
Some don’t really know how to change and that’s where Our Land and Water comes in – by providing support so there can be confidence to move away from what has always been done.
Historically, farming has sometimes got locked into patterns and to break out of them can be difficult and risky.
However, there are many innovative and imaginative farmers who are already on the right track, thinking outside the box, though those farmers are often the ones who have the resources to make change and take risks.
The Government’s freshwater strategy is on the right track, Webster-Brown says, though she does point out that given she was on the technical and advisory committee that provided advice on the programme, it’s not surprising she thinks that.
The proposed pace of change does cause her some concern.
Environment Minister David Parker is seeking a significant impact on water quality in five years but Webster-Brown says environmental systems don’t change quickly and it’s important not to leave people behind when trying to change their behaviour.
There is no quick fix, she says.
It’s taken more than 100 years for our fresh water to get into the state it is and we’re not going to spring out of that quickly.
“We need to be looking at the long game. Changes may take many years. We need to help people keep the faith.”
However, action does need to be taken now because improvements will only become harder and more expensive to achieve in years to come if NZ fails to act.
Though fresh water improvements will come at a cost, as food producers farmers have a chance to offset some of that.
A growing number of people are prepared to pay more for food produced in an environmentally friendly way so there is potential to earn more for those products.
NZ food producers can position themselves to take advantage of that growing market.
NZ has a better chance than most to restore fresh water quality.
In other countries, such as in Europe, fresh water quality has degraded too far for it to ever return to the standard NZ is seeking.
“The horse has bolted. They will never get back to what we aspire to,” she said.
