Test 2 Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is the linear model of Science?
That science makes objective knowledge that society can use to make rational decisions
According to the linear model of science what are ways to improve the policy process?
-More information
-Policy should follow scientific advice
-more public education is needed
-science could communicate better
What are some problems with the linear model of science?
-policy needs more than science
-knowledge requires interpretation
-science is shaped by power
Why is there declining trust in science?
-misinformation
-biases
-Both problems: not enough science and too much science
What is the IPCC?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, UN panel to assess the science relating to climate change, meant to make science more digestible for policymakers and the public, has had controversies that have damaged credibility
What is a boundary organization and an example?
An organization that is between science and policy institutions, an example is the IPCC an organization that synthesizes information from science to give to the public/institutions
How does the IPCC produce assessment reports?
- National governments nominate experts. Expert select chairman.
- Chairman and experts select more experts from different fields
- Agreements reached through consensus
- Govt reps participate and vote on final documents.
- Adopt and approve power resides with political actors, not scientists
What is a Consensus approach?
- Science is represented as ONE voice
- Uni-vocal approach
What are three criteria that need to be meet when designing a boundary organization?
- Incentives for creating boundary objects
- Participation from both sides
- Distinct lines of accountability
Why is the value of nature invisible?
-Value of nature is not factored into markets
-Society fails to account for the benefits received from natural processes
-Corporate balance sheets don’t include environmental asset depletion
-Loss of nature missing in GDP calculations
What are some reasons for an economic valuation of nature?
-Management solutions: “Cannot manage what you cannot measure”
>Tradeoff are skewed against nature
-Strengthen (political) voice
-Shape market decision-making
>Voluntary actions
What are ecosystem services?
The services that natures provides by supporting provisioning, regulating, and cultural services
What are supporting ecosystem services?
Nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production, etc.
What are provisioning ecosystem services?
Food, Fresh water, fuel, etc.
What are regulating ecosystem services?
climate regulation, flood regulation, disease regulation, water purification, etc.
What are cultural ecosystem services?
aesthetic, spiritual, educational, recreational, etc.
How do we quantify the benefits of nature?
-Stated preference – Contingent Valuation (Surveys: Ask people how much they are willing to pay)
-Revealed Preference – how much people already pay for ancillary benefits (E.g.: Travel cost, real estate pricing)
-Opportunity cost (What would it cost to replace ecosystem services?)
-Auctions and reverse auctions
What is the NYC Catskills Case Study?
Due to watershed degradation a filtration plant was planted to be built for 4-6 billion (with a quarter billion every year). However, a plan for Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) was made that would cost 1.5 billion. The plan to have farmers self regulate didn’t work (rich people who weren’t in it for the farming)
What were some problems with the PES approach to the Catskills case study
Ecological economics
* Ecosystems are too connected and complex
* Values are incommensurable
* Distributional questions
* Values-articulating institutions
Political Ecology
* Commodification of nature
* Accumulation by dispossession
What is ecological modernization?
a theory and policy framework that proposes addressing environmental problems through a combination of technological innovation, economic growth, and institutional reform, rather than through radical societal changes or outright rejection of industrialization.
What is ecological modernization not?
-Anti-growth
-Anti-capitalist
-Not revolutionary systems change
-Not end-of-pipeline tech (like scrubbers) – focus on clean produciton
What were some methods that ecological modernization used?
-Market reform
-Modernize the state by making it more corporate, using performance accounting, and used market-based instruments
-requires a technological transformation
What are some critiques of ecological modernization?
-Is too optimistic about tech solutions
-Fails to challenge the capitalist mode of production
-reinforces socio-economic practices that benefit those in power
What is the IPAT Equation?
The equation is that environmental Impact = Population x Affluence (consumption per person) x Technology (impact per unit of consumption)
