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Moving beyond evidence‐free environmental policy
Author(s) -
Russell-Smith Jeremy,
Lindenmayer David,
Kubiszewski Ida,
Green Peter,
Costanza Robert,
Campbell Andrew
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/150019
Subject(s) - constructive , futures contract , process (computing) , democratization , political science , public relations , environmental policy , scientific evidence , international community , environmental planning , business , environmental resource management , democracy , economics , law , computer science , politics , epistemology , geography , philosophy , finance , operating system
Despite universal recognition that environmental policy should be informed by robust scientific evidence, this is frequently (and perhaps increasingly) not the case, even in wealthy countries such as Australia. How can the scientific community respond to this fundamental problem? While acknowledging that many constructive actions can be taken, and that scientists have a direct responsibility to inform the policy‐making process and advocate for sound policy positions, we contend that such responses are insufficient unless the wider community is better informed and engaged. We agree with those who believe that a broader democratization of the policy‐making process is essential to improving this situation, and that an expanded application of scenario planning, augmented with targeted public‐opinion surveys, has considerable potential. Used in this way, scenario planning can help scientists engage with and inform citizens about the kind of world they want to live in, while incorporating the best science about possible futures.