M5 AM Managing Environment Issues for the Next 25 Years: The Role of Science
Monday, 14 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 11:40 AM in 321-323

(KAC-1117-843881) Environmental Science and Management In a Post-Modern World: The Role of Environmental Ethics.

Kaczmar, Swiatoslav^{1, 2}, ¹ O'Brien and Gere Engineers., Syracuse, NY, USA² Syracuse University., Syracuse, NY, USA

ABSTRACT- The past 300 years of "modern" history was a period of rapid and significant advances in science and technology. Much of this progress can be attributed to the separation of science from the influence of religious and political institutions of the time. The separation allowed the practice of science and engineering as an independant, objective undertaking. The advancement of science and technology was instrumental to the industrial revolution. New technology provided valuable goods and benefits, in a mostly unregulated manner. However, many current environmental problems can be attributed to the inability of science and government of the time to work together to identify potential impacts of new products and processes. Today's environmental scientists characterize impacts and design remedies with consideration of ecological, economic, regulatory and societal endpoints and priorities. Many believe that enviromental regulations and procedures governing their work are excessive, do not provide cost-effective protection, and are not supported by objective science. Others believe that the earth is facing a serious crisis, requiring immediate intervention. Scientific "facts" are presented in support of both arguments. Social scientists, philosophers and others suggest that the world has entered a "post-modern" period, heavily influencd by popular culture, where the separation between science and social, religious and governmental institutions is less pronounced. Reducing the separation promotes contribution by a range of parties and collaborative problem solving. However, institutions are often defining science, and scientists are influencing public opinion and policy. This introduces a potential for advancement of agendas, and the loss of the identity, independance and objectivity of scientists and the scientific process. A major challenge faced by environmental scientists and regulators in a "post-modern" future will be to recognize the significance and ethical implications of their actions when defining, communicating and solving environmental problems. This presentation examines the role and influence of science in a post-modern, resource-limited world, and presents a set of principles to be considered by practitioners for the development of a professional and environmental ethic.

Key words: environmental ethics, environmental management, risk management, risk communication