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The Politics of Environmental Science

The Politics of Environmental Science. Solving environmental problems almost always requires scientific (or technical) knowledge. Differences between scientific and technical? Science is supposed to be apolitical.

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The Politics of Environmental Science

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  1. The Politics of Environmental Science • Solving environmental problems almost always requires scientific (or technical) knowledge. • Differences between scientific and technical? • Science is supposed to be apolitical. • Environmental science nonetheless is a recurrent source of controversy -- i.e., there are constant disagreements about the nature of nature. • One way to resolve disputes is to decide who has the last word. • How do we do this for science? ESPP-78

  2. Standard Explanations for Scientific Controversies • Abuse of science (e.g., Mooney) • Proposition: Policymakers know what science says and calls for but they don’t do it for (bad) political reasons: • Interests (politicians, regulators, corporations, environmentalists) • Ignorance (politicians, judges, lay publics) • Distortionand bias (media) • Uncertainty • Proposition: Science should eliminate need for politics, but there just isn’t enough knowledge. Therefore, we • Need more science (policy: do more research) • Need better science (policy: get better peer review and expert advice) ESPP-78

  3. Application to the Science of Climate Change • Anthropogenic climate change is: • Scientific truth, contradicted mainly by industry-funded “manufactured uncertainty” • Product of strategic research reflecting the biases of well-placed, well-funded, self-interested scientists • Which view is more satisfactory? • Which view better explains why Europeans don’t contest climate change science but Americans do? • Are there other possible views? ESPP-78

  4. Questions for Climate Change Video Clips • What do the producers of each account mean when they refer to “science”? • Who do they turn to for authoritative science? • What techniques do they use to establish their own credibility in speaking for science? • How do they build trust or distrust in particular claims? • How do they use the visual medium? ESPP-78

  5. Places of Deliberation ESPP-78

  6. Forums for Political Debate • Classical model • Political deliberation (legislative, regulatory) • Designated places • Formal rules of access, representation, expression of views • Agora or public sphere in the modern world (newspapers, TV, print media) • Partially licensed spaces, with balance requirements • Legal protection against personal attacks and misrepresentations ESPP-78

  7. Forums for Scientific Debate (when science speaks to policy) • Labs and scientific workplaces • Research grant applications • Conferences • Journals and publications • Scientific advisory committees • Congressional hearings • Courts ESPP-78

  8. The Unruly Public Sphere for environmental science • What rules govern An Inconvenient Truth or The Great Global Warming Swindle? • Where do these rules, if any, come from; and who is responsible for making them? • What penalties are there for error or misrepresentation? • Who gets to express dissent, and where? • Who listens? ESPP-78

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