Assessments of Regional and Global Environmental Risks: Designing Processes for the Effective Use of Science in DecisionmakingAlexander E. Farrell, Jill Jäger Resources for the Future, 2006 - 301 pages As environmental challenges grow larger in scale and implications, it is increasingly important to apply the best scientific knowledge in the decisionmaking process. Editors Farrell and Jäger present environmental assessments as the bridge between the expert knowledge of scientists and engineers on the one hand and decisionmakers on the other. When done well, assessments have a positive impact on public policy, the strategic decisions of private firms, and, ultimately, the quality of life for many people. This book is the result of an international, interdisciplinary research project to analyze past environmental assessments and understand how their design influenced their effectiveness in bringing scientific evidence and insight into the decisionmaking process. The case studies in the book feature a wide range of regional and global risks, including ozone depletion, transboundary air pollution, and climate change. Assessments of Regional and Global Environmental Risks offers several important contributions. It provides a clear account of the choices faced in the design of environmental assessments and a clear description of the lessons learned from past assessments. It illustrates why assessments are social processes, not simply reports. And, while they identify no universal, one-size-fits-all design, the authors find that, to be effective, environmental assessments must be viewed by those who produce and use them as being salient; credible in their scientific support; and legitimate, or fair in design and execution. |
Contents
How Do You Assess the Impossible? | 119 |
An Example from | 138 |
The Design and Management of International Scientific | 187 |
Designing Better Environmental Assessments for | 206 |
Assessing Technological | 227 |
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Common terms and phrases
activities adaptation agricultural air pollution analysis approach assessment processes authors Basin bodies capacity catastrophe Chapter climate change Colorado communication concerns conducted convention countries credibility critical decisionmaking decisions developing discussed drought early economic effectiveness emissions Environment environmental assessments established European evaluate example existing experts extreme factors force framing future Global Global Environmental groups impacts important increased individuals industry initial institutional Integrated interests investment involved IPCC issue knowledge learning legitimacy limited LRTAP major meetings ment models natural negotiations organizations ozone Panel participation particular parties pension fund policymakers political potential presented Press problems Program Project protocol questions reductions regional reinsurance representatives response risk River salience scientific scientists social strategies sustainability task technical tion uncertainty understanding United University USCSP users
References to this book
Global Environmental Assessments: Information and Influence Ronald Bruce Mitchell Limited preview - 2006 |
Global Environmental Assessments: Information and Influence Ronald Bruce Mitchell Limited preview - 2006 |