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L: Ch. 9 |
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RES
9, 10, 11, 12
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R: Ch. 4 |
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Read this interesting editorial from the
New York Times (6/08) that argues that it is important for all of us to
have a
little science in our lives. Do you agree? |
| It is also common for folks to
argue that we should try to separate politics and science. But is
it really possible? Many environmental problems are inherently "transcience"
in nature in that they can be defined in scientific terms, but their
solution inherently involves tradeoffs and choices about competing human
values. See this
interesting collection of articles that illustrate some of the many
ways that politics and competing human values are inextricably linked to
science. |
| See this article for a discussion
of the conflicts that occurred locally between
science and politics locally with the Tidal
Creek Program (10/07) |
| Not only does science play an
important role in the policy process, but in some cases individual
scientists can have an important role in shaping or advocating for
environmental policy. See this
interesting article from the Raleigh News and Observer (8/11) about
a scientist here in NC who has helped shape coastal policies.
|
| Never forget that faulty science
and in some cases deliberate falsifying of the data can sometimes occur.
See
this interesting collection of articles revealing some examples and
the steps government takes to protect the integrity of the science
produced by government scientists. |
| Many nonprofits and advocacy
groups also use science to try and shape public opinion and government
policy. See this short article (9/07) describing how
Pew Charitable
Trusts attempts to influence fisheries policy.
|
| No where is the role of science in
the policy process more pronounced than in the debate surrounding global
warming and climate change. For a collection of miscellaneous
articles related to global warming & climate change (some are a bit out
there) -
click here |
| See this collection of articles by
climate change skeptics and others which present evidence that is
inconsistent with the Global Warming hypothesis (Download
by clicking here). |
| See this collection of articles
that looks at various attempts to regulate and control CO2 emissions (Download
by clicking here). |
| ClimateGate - See this collection
of articles that traces the evolution of ClimateGate and some of the
criticisms of the science that lies at the foundation of climate change
research (Download
by clicking here). You can also view
Lord Monckton's report in the aftermath of Climategate (11/09).
There is also this
YouTube video
called "hide the decline" that parodies the Climategate scandal and
Michael Mann from Penn State University that you might enjoy. |
| Interested in the role that grant
funding plays in climate change research? They you might want to
read
Climate
Money - A report detailing the role of money in climate change research
(Science & Public Policy Institute - 7/09) |
| A lot of arguments by the skeptics
are driven by legitimate questions about the data and modeling used to
support claims related to climate change and its impacts. For
example, The IPCC has been criticized for its shoddy use of science in
its reports (See this
interesting article in the UK Guardian where head of the IPCC
regrets use of false information - 11/19/10). For more detail on
the IPCC's use of science see the
draft IAC report reviewing IPCC science - 9/10). There is also
this
interesting article from
Science Daily website even questions the validity of a "global
temperature". You can read this report
Surface Temperature Records: Policy Driven Deception? (Science & Public
Policy Institute - 1/10). Sen. Inhofe even authored a position
paper attempting to debunk climate change science (Click here to
download his 10/07 report), which probably makes him the leading
"skeptic" in Congress. Additional examples are contained in the
collection of "skeptics" articles
linked above. |
| There are also plenty of claims
from both sides about "censorship". For example, see this story in
the Washington
Times about claims that NASA's James Hansen was censored for his
views in favor of climate change. Conversely, see this article in
the Canadian
Free Press by another scientists who makes the counter claim about
the politics of climate change. |
|
Video Clip -
Hans
Rosling gives brilliant insight into the world’s explosively changing
population, in its physical, economic and political health. To say
nothing about his basic mission of teaching the use of statistical
methodology.
|
