Restarting the conversation: challenges at the interface between ecology and society

I contemporary society, scientists hold a considerable degree of respect, trust, admiration, and authority. Surveys show that North American and European citizens hold a deep belief in the promise of science to solve problems, as well as to improve quality of life and the economy (Eurobarometer 2008; NSB 2008; Pew Research Center on People and the Press 2009a). Even on controversial topics such as climate change, many Americans believe scientists have comparatively greater expertise, are less self interested, and should have greater say in policy decisions that affect the environment than industry leaders, elected officials, and/or religious leaders (NSB 2008). If scientists have earned this almost unrivaled cultural authority and public respect, then what explains continued societal inaction and political gridlock on pressing problems related to global climate change and environmental degradation? Many environmental scientists feel that the need for renewed efforts at the interface between science and society has reached a critical state (Moser and Dilling 2004). Data on the severity and causes of global environmental problems abound, and the likely future trajectories related to these problems are remarkably consistent. In most cases, our understanding of what drives these changes, albeit incomplete, is sufficient to inform societal action to curb or even reverse these trends. Yet, the availability of this knowledge does not seem to have affected the current trajectories projecting continued environmental degradation. For ecologists, public communication and engagement have long been recognized as major priorities and as mechanisms for catalyzing societal action (Lubchenco 1998; Jordan et al. 2009). However, many scientists continue to base public communication efforts on a set of false assumptions that limit their effectiveness (Nisbet and Scheufele 2009). Although several factors contribute to societal inaction in resolving environmental problems, scientists must recognize that they share part of the blame. In this paper, we examine the barriers and bottlenecks in the use of ecological knowledge to change societal actions and then identify a set of options and strategies that may help overcome these difficulties. The objectives of the Cary Conference on Effective communication of science in environmental controversies, on which this Special Issue is based (May 2009 – Cary SCIENCE, COMMUNICATION, AND CONTROVERSIES