Science in Environmental Policy

Catalog description

Science plays a fundamental role in environmental policy. It can put an issue on the political agenda, it often guides and underpins rationales for policy, while enabling us to monitor implementation. In short, science can provide a reason for humankind to act on environmental problems, while policy enables us to do so. Therefore, understanding how science translates into policy – from a theoretical, historical and practical perspective – is critical to understanding environmental governance. This course explores how the scientific process, as well as scientists themselves, influence environmental policy – from agenda setting, to legislation and implementation. In order to ground the discussion, the course will focus on specific issues including, but not necessarily limited to: stratospheric ozone depletion, climate change, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, whaling and nutrient pollution.