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Some Pitfalls of an Overemphasis on Science in Environmental Risk Management Decisions

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  • Robin Gregory
  • Lee Failing
  • Dan Ohlson
  • Timothy Mcdaniels

Abstract

This paper addresses the question whether calls for “more” and “better” science will have the intended effect of improving the quality of decisions about environmental risks. There are reasons to be skeptical: key judgment tasks that fundamentally shape many aspects of decisions about environmental risk management lie outside the domain of science. These tasks include making value judgments explicit, integrating facts and values to create innovative alternatives, and constructively addressing conflicts about uncertainty. To bring new specificity to an old debate, we highlight six pitfalls in environmental risk decisions that can occur as the result of an overemphasis on science as the basis for management choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Robin Gregory & Lee Failing & Dan Ohlson & Timothy Mcdaniels, 2006. "Some Pitfalls of an Overemphasis on Science in Environmental Risk Management Decisions," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(7), pages 717-735.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jriskr:v:9:y:2006:i:7:p:717-735
    DOI: 10.1080/13669870600799895
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Dobler & Kaouthar Lajili & Daniel Zéghal, 2014. "Environmental Performance, Environmental Risk and Risk Management," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(1), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Amanda P. Rehr & Mitchell J. Small & Paul S. Fischbeck & Patricia Bradley & William S. Fisher, 2014. "The role of scientific studies in building consensus in environmental decision making: a coral reef example," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 60-87, March.
    3. Stephanie E. Chang & Timothy McDaniels & Jana Fox & Rajan Dhariwal & Holly Longstaff, 2014. "Toward Disaster‐Resilient Cities: Characterizing Resilience of Infrastructure Systems with Expert Judgments," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 34(3), pages 416-434, March.
    4. Wakita, Kazumi & Shen, Zhonghua & Oishi, Taro & Yagi, Nobuyuki & Kurokura, Hisashi & Furuya, Ken, 2014. "Human utility of marine ecosystem services and behavioural intentions for marine conservation in Japan," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 53-60.
    5. Robin Gregory & Graham Long, 2009. "Using Structured Decision Making to Help Implement a Precautionary Approach to Endangered Species Management," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 518-532, April.
    6. Stina Alriksson & Monika Filipsson, 2017. "Risk perception and worry in environmental decision-making – a case study within the Swedish steel industry," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(9), pages 1173-1194, September.
    7. Failing, L. & Gregory, R. & Harstone, M., 2007. "Integrating science and local knowledge in environmental risk management: A decision-focused approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 47-60, October.

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