Coping with uncertainty: a call for a new science-policy forum.
The scientific and policy worlds have different goals, which can lead to different standards for what constitutes "proof" of a change or phenomena, and different approaches for characterizing and conveying uncertainty and risk. These differences can compromise effective communication among scientists, policymakers, and the public, and constrain the types of socially compelling questions scientists are willing to address. In this paper, we review a set of approaches for dealing with uncertainty, and illustrate some of the errors that arise when science and policy fail to coordinate correctly. We offer a set of recommendations, including restructuring of science curricula and establishment of science-policy forums populated by leaders in both arenas, and specifically constituted to address problems of uncertainty.
Kinzig
Ann
A
School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-4501, USA. Ann.Kinzig@asu.edu
Starrett
David
D
Arrow
Kenneth
K
Aniyar
Sara
S
Bolin
Bert
B
Dasgupta
Partha
P
Ehrlich
Paul
P
Folke
Carl
C
Hanemann
Michael
M
Heal
Geoff
G
Hoel
Michael
M
Jansson
AnnMari
A
Jansson
Bengt-Owe
BO
Kautsky
Nils
N
Levin
Simon
S
Lubchenco
Jane
J
Mäler
Karl-Göran
KG
Pacala
Stephen W
SW
Schneider
Stephen H
SH
Siniscalco
Domenico
D
Walker
Brian
B
D003479:Curriculum; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D011050:Policy Making; D012586:Science; D012924:Social Conditions; D035501:Uncertainty