Information as Influence: How Institutions Mediate the Impact of Scientific Assessments on Global Environmental Affairs

Clark, William C.; Mitchell, Ronald B.; Cash, David W.; Alcock, Frank

doi:10.2139/ssrn.357521

Cited by 41 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Climate change is cited as a complex and interdependent environmental challenge facing the world today [1] [2]. African countries including Tanzania are likely among the most world vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to lack of inadequate adaptation capacities, economic development, and institutional capacity [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Climate Variability, Perceptions and Coping Strategies of Tanzanian Coastal Forest Dependent Communities

Kashaigili¹,

Levira²,

Liwenga³

et al. 2014

AJCC

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Climate variability and change are among the biggest challenges of the 21 st century. Like in many other areas globally, the coastal communities of Tanzania have always been facing climatic variability at various time scales. Using focus group discussion and a household survey, this study analyzes the perceptions of climate variability and change and the strategies for coping and adaptation by the selected coastal rural and peri-urban communities in Tanzania. The perception of climate variability and change is complemented with the time-series analysis of rainfall and temperature data from Julius Nyerere International Airport Met. station and Kisarawe using Instant Statistical Software. Results indicate that households are aware of climate variability and identify indicators of climate change and variability as being decreasing rainfall trends, increasing incidences of droughts, unpredictable rainfall patterns, disappearance of wetlands and failure to predict on-set of rainy season using traditional knowledge. Households primarily attribute reduced crop yields to changes in rainfall pattern and increasing incidences of drought leading to soil moisture stress. The implications are that the agriculture dependent households are now food insecure. As a way of coping to the observed changes, the coastal communities among others have shifted to production of high value horticultural crops and use of forest resources. Nevertheless, the increased use of forest resources is threatening the existence of coastal forests and contributes to the decline of forest resources and disappearance of wildlife in the forest reserves. It is concluded that the communities studied are aware of climate issues as revealed from perceived indicators of climate variability and changes. The results from statistical analysis of 30 years climatic data are consistent with community's perception of climate variability and change. The study recommends examining the present coping strategies for the sustainability of the coastal * Corresponding author. J. J. Kashaigili et al. 213forests and in designing of alternative adaptive strategies such as alternative energy options, crop diversification and environmental friendly activities such as beekeeping.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Climate Variability, Perceptions and Coping Strategies of Tanzanian Coastal Forest Dependent Communities

Kashaigili¹,

Levira²,

Liwenga³

et al. 2014

AJCC

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Seeking to clarify issues relating to the use of scientific and technical information in Community policy-making, the European Commission in June 2002 published a Communication detailing principles and guidelines for the use of expert advice (European Commission 2001a). The role of experts and use of expert advice in policy-making have also been the subject of extensive academic attention (Weinberg 1972;Jasanoff 1990;Liftin 1994;Jasanoff and Wynne 1998;Clark et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

All talk, little action: precaution and European chemicals regulation

Eckley

Selin

2004

Journal of European Public Policy

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The European Union has chosen the precautionary principle as a key guiding principle to achieve more effective policy-making on risks, by moving away from preventive regulation towards more precautionary regulation. Precautionary language has been a part of European Community law for over a decade; however, whether its establishment has had any real effect on European policymaking and regulations is more unclear. This article examines whether the introduction of precautionary language in Community texts has had an effect on the process by which potential risks associated with hazardous chemicals are managed. The article focuses on the two cases of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and covers the time before, during, and after the Community introduction of the precautionary principle. The article finds that there has been a marked change in the way environmental risks are conceptualized and discussed, but a clear effect in regulatory practice has yet to be seen. Current proposals to revise Community chemicals management, however, contain elements that could enhance precautionary regulation.

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“…The selection of the appropriate indicators depends firstly, on pragmatic factors, such as system boundaries (scale and typology of heritage) and availability of data, and secondly, on rather subjective aspects, such as the L, C, S-criteria, as defined by Clark et al: "The most influential assessments are those that are simultaneously perceived by a broad array of actors to possess 3 attributes: legitimacy, credibility and salience" [17] p. 7. Creating a set of indicators is a methodological compromise between local relevance, practical feasibility, availability of data, and theoretical justification.…”

Section: Criteria For the Selection Of The Appropriate Indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability Assessment of Urban Heritage Sites

Leus

Verhelst²

2018

Buildings

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Abstract:The purpose of this research was to create a framework of indicators that enabled us to measure the classic dimensions of sustainable development (SD): People, Planet, and Profit, in combination with the sustainability of the heritage values and the policy dimension. Methods developed as an approach to sustainable urban planning and that were based on system analysis models were modified, streamlined, and adapted into a concrete set of indicators for historical city sites. This framework, a multimodal system which maps out the holistic sustainability could serve as an incentive from the policy to the heritage world to implement sustainable objectives; and it could be used as an extra argument for the broader social relevance of heritage care.

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Information as Influence: How Institutions Mediate the Impact of Scientific Assessments on Global Environmental Affairs

Cited by 41 publications

References 38 publications

Analysis of Climate Variability, Perceptions and Coping Strategies of Tanzanian Coastal Forest Dependent Communities

Analysis of Climate Variability, Perceptions and Coping Strategies of Tanzanian Coastal Forest Dependent Communities

All talk, little action: precaution and European chemicals regulation

Sustainability Assessment of Urban Heritage Sites

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