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Scientific opinion in policymaking: the case of climate change adaptation

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  • Debra Javeline
  • Gregory Shufeldt

Abstract

The urgent need for policy decisions often outpaces scientific discovery. At such times, policymakers must rely on scientific opinion. This is the case with many aspects of current climate policy, especially those involving untested but potentially necessary adaptations to reduce vulnerability to climate change. Unfortunately, scientific opinion is not currently defined, measured, or used in a standardized way, which often allows for the accidental or intentional dissemination of misinformation and the marginalization of science where science could be most beneficial. In this article, we argue that scientific opinion can be usefully measured by systematic surveys of scientists that employ standards similar to those that govern public opinion surveys, including systematic decisions about target populations, sampling frames, and sampling techniques. We demonstrate this approach with the methodology for a study of scientific opinion on a potential adaptation to climate change, the managed relocation of species. We show that survey results may be used to corroborate other types of information, refine or contradict other information, and offer novel insights into emerging issues, such as adaptations to climate change, that are currently not addressed with any other type of available information. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Debra Javeline & Gregory Shufeldt, 2014. "Scientific opinion in policymaking: the case of climate change adaptation," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 47(2), pages 121-139, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:policy:v:47:y:2014:i:2:p:121-139
    DOI: 10.1007/s11077-013-9187-9
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    1. Chris D. Thomas & Alison Cameron & Rhys E. Green & Michel Bakkenes & Linda J. Beaumont & Yvonne C. Collingham & Barend F. N. Erasmus & Marinez Ferreira de Siqueira & Alan Grainger & Lee Hannah & Lesle, 2004. "Extinction risk from climate change," Nature, Nature, vol. 427(6970), pages 145-148, January.
    2. Iain McLean & André Blais & James C. Garand & Micheal Giles, 2009. "Comparative Journal Ratings: A Survey Report," Political Studies Review, Political Studies Association, vol. 7(1), pages 18-38, January.
    3. John Harte & Annette Ostling & Jessica L. Green & Ann Kinzig, 2004. "Climate change and extinction risk," Nature, Nature, vol. 430(6995), pages 34-34, July.
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    1. Ana Čehić Marić & Tajana Čop & Milan Oplanić & Smiljana Goreta Ban & Mario Njavro, 2023. "Adaptation to Climate Change in Adriatic Croatia—The View of Policymakers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Hannah Schmid-Petri, 2017. "Politicization of science: how climate change skeptics use experts and scientific evidence in their online communication," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 145(3), pages 523-537, December.
    3. Drews, Stefan & Savin, Ivan & van den Bergh, Jeroen, 2024. "A Global Survey of Scientific Consensus and Controversy on Instruments of Climate Policy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).

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