The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) proudly publishes 2 peer‐reviewed journals, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (ET&C) and Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM). They are SETAC's flagship scientific publications and among the top prestigious platforms for disseminating environmental science globally. Both journals are part of a vital chain of events that begins with scientific curiosity, a passionate desire for learning, and a deep commitment to find solutions that will protect or restore the natural environment. From the first steps of investigation through to the implementation of governmental policy and business decisions that act on science facts and observations, SETAC is committed to supporting its tripartite community of research scientists, environmental professionals, and governmental leaders and to creating platforms for dedicated environmental professionals to work together collaboratively and with respect.

For the journals, the Journal Impact Factors (JIF) are key. Publishing scientists continue to be influenced by the JIF when selecting a journal in which to publish their results. Though they may know about the metric s limitations, they remain trapped in the system. For our journals, and many others, the JIF has serious limitations as an indicator of scientific quality, and for authors, the JIF fails to capture the citation rate of an individual article (Seglen 1994; Adler et al. 2008). Considering the mission of SETAC and our goal to promote the advancement of environmental sciences and the use of science in environmental policy and decision‐making, it even can be questioned if the Impact Factor helps us to achieve that or hinders us. Environmental scientists are typically drawn into the fields of environmental toxicology and chemistry and integrated environmental assessment and management because they care about the environment and want to contribute to sustainable environmental quality. This motivation is the glue that brings SETAC members together around the world. “Environmental Quality Through Science^®” has been the Society's slogan since its inception nearly 50 years ago.

To measure the impact of our science, one should not focus on the JIF only, but consider the entire process—from research question formulation to the implementation of policy measures. The Environmental Quality Through Science Cycle, as shown in Figure 1, will begin with simple questions about the environment and the influences of human actions. These questions are translated into a research hypothesis that is shared among colleagues and sharpened by debate, which may include presentations and posters at scientific conferences. The feedback from peers and collaborating partners refines the study design and inspires the work. Investigations collect and analyze data. Preliminary results presented at scientific conferences are verified and validated by others. Energized by discussions with peers and fueled by insights and new ideas, the science cycle is generally assumed to culminate in the submission of technical manuscripts for formal peer review and publication.

And yet, the Environmental Quality Through Science Cycle does not end; rather, the science cycle continues with the hard work of translating scientific facts and observations to public policy. Scientific evidence should inspire concrete measures and actions that resolve the obstacles and overcome the challenges that threaten the environment and communities. Education and communication are important steps in this portion of the cycle whereby the public and policy makers learn and make choices for implementing science into a rational regulatory framework. The entire science cycle must be completed in order for scientific research to contribute meaningfully to protection of the environment and to improving the quality of human life.

The science cycle was under attack in the past years. Most recently, the first half of the cycle was hindered by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The restrictions on travel and social interactions disrupted the usual patterns of informal science communications to sharpen a hypothesis, refine the study design, collect the data, or debate the preliminary conclusions. The second half of the cycle was hindered by political beliefs and financial pressures, culminating with political leaders ignoring the scientific facts in some parts of the world.

The new decade can, and must, reverse the attack on science witnessed in the latter half of the 2010s. SETAC has hardened its resolve to convene tripartite technical meetings and support the dissemination of scientific facts. And the Society is not deterred by the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic.

SETAC is evolving its science communication platforms to improve its outreach around the world and protect the health and safety of citizens. The Society aims to build more options for online participation at SETAC meetings and to reduce the environmental footprint of conferences and special events. We will strive with renewed purpose to facilitate participation for scientists and professionals who do not have the resources to travel and still want to go through the entire Environmental Quality Through Science Cycle.

SETAC leadership and event organizers quickly learned from the COVID‐19 pandemic that the Internet could provide additional value and offer new types of professional interactions that exceed the interactions associated with traditional in‐person conferences. Similar to other scientific societies, SETAC has embraced the idea that online engagement can become a routine and integrated part of the science cycle. While in‐person meetings will continue to be important for both social and scientific interactions, internet meetings are here to stay. SETAC is committed to working with members and supporting organizations to come out of this global pandemic with a renewed focus on the Society's mission of Environmental Quality Through Science.

And we will continue to explore new ways to communicate and implement new online tools that create an inclusive space for scientists to convene globally, exchange ideas, and receive feedback about their science, business, and policy efforts. SETAC is committed to supporting technical meetings, peer‐reviewed journals, Technical Issue Papers, expert workshops, symposia, training, and certification programs. SETAC is committed to promoting scientific research. SETAC is committed to the development of environmental management best practices around the world. SETAC is committed to supporting policy makers, and SETAC advocates seeking to advance the use of science in environmental legislation drawn upon the best available science. SETAC is an advocate of the Environmental Quality Through Science Cycle and is committed to making a true impact in our world, an impact that goes well beyond the limited scope of the Journal Impact Factor.

环境毒理化学学会（SETAC）自豪地出版了2篇同行评审期刊，《环境毒理化学》（ET＆C）和《综合环境评估与管理》（IEAM））。它们是SETAC的旗舰科学出版物，并且是在全球传播环境科学的最负盛名的平台之一。两种期刊都是重大事件链中的一部分，这些事件以科学的好奇心，对学习的热情以及对寻找能够保护或恢复自然环境的解决方案的坚定承诺开始。从研究的第一步到实施根据科学事实和观察采取行动的政府政策和商业决策，SETAC致力于支持其三方研究科学家，环境专业人员和政府领导人共同体，并为专门的环境专业人员创建平台相互合作并相互尊重。

对于期刊而言，期刊影响因子（JIF）是关键。选择期刊发表结果时，出版科学家继续受到JIF的影响。尽管他们可能知道度量标准的局限性，但它们仍然被困在系统中。对于我们的期刊以及许多其他期刊，JIF作为科学质量的指标存在着严重的局限性；对于作者而言，JIF未能掌握单个文章的引用率（Seglen 1994； Adler等人2008）。考虑到SETAC的使命以及我们促进环境科学发展以及在环境政策和决策中使用科学的目标，甚至可能会质疑影响因素是否有助于我们实现目标或阻碍我们。环境科学家通常被吸引到环境毒理学和化学领域以及集成的环境评估和管理领域，因为他们关心环境并希望为可持续的环境质量做出贡献。这种动机是将SETAC成员汇集到世界各地的粘合剂。“通过科学实现环境质量^® ”一直自成立以来近50年前，该协会的口号。

为了衡量我们科学的影响，人们不应只关注JIF，而应考虑整个过程-从研究问题的提出到政策措施的实施。科学循环中的环境质量如图1所示，将从有关环境和人类行为影响的简单问题开始。这些问题被转化为研究假设，该假设在同事之间共享并通过辩论进行了强化，其中可能包括科学会议上的演讲和海报。同行和合作伙伴的反馈完善了研究设计并激发了工作。调查收集并分析数据。在科学会议上提出的初步结果已得到其他人的验证。在与同行的讨论中充满活力，在洞察力和新思想的推动下，科学周期通常被认为是提交技术论文以供正式同行评审和出版的最高潮。

然而，科学周期的环境质量并未结束。相反，科学周期继续进行着将科学事实和观察结果转化为公共政策的艰苦工作。科学证据应启发采取具体措施和行动，以解决障碍并克服威胁环境和社区的挑战。在这一周期的这一部分中，教育和交流是重要的步骤，公众和决策者可以学习并为将科学实施为合理的监管框架做出选择。必须完成整个科学周期，才能使科学研究对保护环境和改善人类生活质量做出有意义的贡献。

在过去的几年中，科学周期受到了攻击。最近，COVID-19大流行阻碍了周期的前半部分。对旅行和社交互动的限制打乱了非正式科学交流的常规模式，从而强化了假设，完善了研究设计，收集了数据或对初步结论进行了辩论。政治周期和政治压力阻碍了周期的后半部分，最终导致政治领导人无视世界某些地区的科学事实。

新的十年可以而且必须扭转2010年代下半年见证的对科学的攻击。SETAC坚定了召开三方技术会议并支持传播科学事实的决心。持续的COVID-19流行病带来的挑战并没有阻止协会。

SETAC正在发展其科学交流平台，以改善其在全球的覆盖范围并保护公民的健康和安全。该协会旨在为在线参加SETAC会议提供更多选择，并减少会议和特别活动的环境足迹。我们将以新的目的努力，以促进那些没有资源出差，仍然希望通过科学周期经历整个环境质量的科学家和专业人士的参与。

SETAC的领导和活动组织者从COVID-19大流行中迅速了解到，互联网可以提供更多的价值，并提供新型的专业互动方式，而这些互动方式超越了传统的面对面会议的互动方式。与其他科学学会类似，SETAC接受这样一种想法，即在线参与可以成为科学周期中的例行和整合部分。虽然面对面的会议对于社交和科学互动都将继续发挥重要作用，但互联网会议将继续存在。SETAC致力于与成员和支持组织合作，以摆脱这一全球性流行病，并重新关注协会通过科学提出的环境质量使命。

我们将继续探索交流和实施新的在线工具的新方式，从而为科学家们提供一个包容性的空间，使他们能够在全球范围内聚会，交流思想并接收有关其科学，商业和政策工作的反馈。SETAC致力于支持技术会议，同行评审期刊，技术问题论文，专家研讨会，专题讨论会，培训和认证计划。SETAC致力于促进科学研究。SETAC致力于在全球范围内开发环境管理最佳实践。SETAC致力于为决策者提供支持，SETAC的倡导者力求在现有最佳科学的基础上，促进科学在环境立法中的应用。SETAC倡导科学循环中的环境质量 并且致力于在我们的世界上产生真正的影响，这一影响远远超出了期刊影响因子的有限范围。