This document highlights 15 key environmental indicators which depict trends in the state of the environment. The reluctance on the part of governments to release scientific information when it might be construed as 'bad news', and the reluctance on the part of scientists to simplify complex issues so that they are easily understandable, has hindered the use of scientific information in decision-making. This success is helping to encourage the release of scientific information. Risa Smith is currently Head of the British Columbia State of Environment Reporting Program. In that capacity she has been responsible for the development and release of two reports on Environmental Trends in British Columbia - 1998 and 2000.
Current interests are in the communication and incorporation of science into decision-making.