The Obama administration came into office stating that there would be a return to scientific principles in its application of environmental laws. The Bush administration said the same thing when it came into office eight years ago. The results look likely to be very different. Similar distinctions have emerged globally, as the European Union has moved to ban dozens of toxic substances in everyday products which remain legal to sell in the United States. Schapiro will discuss the values that underlie these very different approaches to interpreting, and acting upon, scientific evidence.

Mark Schapiro

Editorial Director, Center for Investigative Reporting

Mark Schapiro , an award-winning journalist, is Editorial Director of the Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit organization of journalists producing investigative stories for all media. His recent book, Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American Power, investigates the response of U.S. business to the heightening of environmental standards in the European Union.