Notes

Outline

The (Environmental) Scientist in Society Michael Rodgers Air Quality Laboratory Georgia Institute of Technology

Purpose of Science is:

Truth is:

Modern Science Assumes: That physical reality exists That the universe is understandable That observations and logic form the basis for understanding All theories are contingent upon future observations (falsification/scientific method).

Science Addresses The Who, What, Where and When of Phenomena Observable Quantities Interactions Motions in Space and Time Mathematically (Logically) Constructed Statements

Science Does Not Address The “Why” of Phenomena Non-observable Phenomena Origins/Fates “Before the Beginning” “After the End” Values Human and Social Values Aesthetics

Scientific Water

Artistic/Spirtual Water

How Public Perceptions of Science and Scientists are Shaped Most have very limited personal exposure to scientific researchers Most form opinions based on experiences with community professionals Science Teachers Physicians/Dentists Engineers Media portrayal is influential

Common Perceptions of Scientists Dedicated Hard-working Persistent Passionate in their Field of Study Intelligent Generally Honest and Reliable

Other Common Perceptions of Scientists Scientists are a “Priestly Elite” Possessing “Special or Hidden Knowledge” More Loyal to their Colleagues than to their Employer Apart from Larger Society To be Respected/Feared As a Group Scientists are (Choose One or More) Mad Eccentric Eggheads Nerds

Media Images of Sciences “Talking Heads” Documentaries Historical Disciplinary Drama Movies TV Series

“The Talking Head” Overwhelmingly Male Very Intelligent Generally Middle Aged Overwhelmingly From Major Universities Looks Concerned and Thoughtful

Scientific Documentary Limited Range of Fields Not Representative of Research Focus on Act of Discovery Rather than Analysis Limited Audience Outside of Classroom Much Greater Range of Scientific Diversity Represented than in Other Media

Movie Scientist Overwhelmingly Male Very Intelligent Generally Middle-Aged (45 is a popular age) Most Often with a Beautiful Daughter Simultaneously Brilliant, Eccentric, and Naive

The Movie Scientist Six Major Types “Evil Scientist” “Mad Scientist” “Eccentric Scientist” “Passionless Scientist” “Naive Scientist” “Hero Scientist”

“Evil Scientist” Very Intelligent Unappreciated by Colleagues Megalomaniac Unlimited Funding Under-invests in Fire Protection

“Mad Scientist” Very Intelligent Forbidden Knowledge Morally Ambiguous Unappreciated by Colleagues Unlimited Funding Never Heard of a Fuse

Other Mad Scientists

Other Scientific Icons “Eccentric Scientist” Dr Who “Passionless Scientist” Mr. Spock “Naive Scientist” Dr. Zalkov “Hero Scientist” Jurassic Park, MacGuyver

Distribution of Media Scientists

Environmental Scientists Most Commonly Portrayed as Eccentric Largely Due to Influence of Wildlife Biologists Meteorologists As a Group Viewed to be “Less Dangerous” than Many of Scientists

Environmental Scientists Generally regarded as belonging to one of two camps Industrial Interests Public Interests Often Serve as the “Public Face” or other Disciplines Generally Regarded as More Approachable than Most Scientists

Hidden Knowledge

Society and the Scientist

Scientific Analysis Observes the Natural System Compares these Observations to Known Physical, Chemical and Biological Processes Constructs Predictive Models of System Behavior Compares Model Results to Laboratory and Field Observations

Policy Analysis Examines the Scientific, Social, Organizational, Legal and Political Dimensions of a Problem Defines a Set of Possible Policy Options Examines these Options in Terms of Societal Interests and Values Recommends the “Best” Course of Action

Environmental Science and Public Policy To a Significant Degree All Environmental Scientists are Involved in Public Policy and Public Policy Analysis Scientific and Policy Analysis Deal with Uncertainty in Different Ways Science – Contingent, Optimizing Policy – Definitive, Selective

Greenhouse Gases as a Case Study Issue is Well Defined Many Radiatively Active Trace Gas Concentrations are Increasing These Increases are Due to Human Activity Results are Not-Well Defined Minor Changes in Surface or Cloud Albedo could Overwhelm Direct Radiative Effects Such Effects are Unlikely to be Effectively Modeled in the Near-Future

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Scientific Analysis says “We Cannot Accurately Predict the Outcome of Various Control Measures” Policy Analysis says “Science Cannot Provide Sufficient Detail to Evaluate Costs and Benefits” Decision Makers Must therefore Deal with a Much Broader Range of Issues

Final Thoughts Environmental Scientists are Generally: As Well Respected as Other Scientists More Approachable “Less Dangerous” This Gives Environmental Scientists a Special Obligation not only to Serve their Disciplines but Science More Broadly