6th Open Meeting of the Human Dimensions
of Global Environmental Change Research Community
Lisa Dilling
Center for Science and Technology Policy Research
Not So Basic Anymore: The challenges of producing "use-inspired" climate science
Abstract
Climate research in the United States has been justified as providing "usable" science to support decision making. Over the past few decades, the major laws and research plans governing science policy decisions for climate have affirmed and re-affirmed the goal of supporting public decision making. That goal has not been effectively realized, however, because of conflicting culture and values that guide the conduct of science within the climate research program. The core values espoused by scientific institutions that comprise the majority of climate science funding in the U.S. are derived from the "linear model" from the 1950s and its corollary that basic science, unfettered by practical considerations and driven purely by scientific curiosity, is the main purveyor of societal benefit. Institutions have variously shaped and adapted these values in order to differentiate themselves, but the core principles remain. The trend of the past few years suggests that scientific institutions are even more strongly claiming benefit to society, but that overall structures and culture have not yet transformed to effectively address the deficiencies that have prevented the generation of truly "usable" science. This paper will outline the barriers and conditioning factors facing the climate science enterprise in moving toward truly "usable" science, including the science policy decision making process, the culture and training of scientists, and the structure and mission of institutions. Alternatives to current practices and norms in climate science policy decision making and institutions will be proposed.
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488 UCB