Values in socio-environmental modelling: persuasion for action or excuse for inaction

Voinov, Alexey; Seppelt, Ralf; Reis, Stefan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2428-8320; Nabel, Julia E.M.S.; Shokravi, Samaneh. 2014 Values in socio-environmental modelling: persuasion for action or excuse for inaction. Environmental Modelling & Software, 53. 207-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2013.12.005

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2013.12.005

Abstract/Summary

Science in general and modelling in particular provide in-depth understanding of environmental processes and clearly demonstrate the present unsustainable use of resources on a global scale. The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), for instance, shows that climate is changing and with a 95% certainty it is the humans have caused the change. The future climatic conditions are shown to be largely adversely affecting human wellbeing on this planet. Yet we see in numerous examples that societies are very slow in reacting to this rapid depletion of natural resources. What still seems lacking is the translation of scientific reports and the results of analysis and modelling into corrective actions. We argue that one of the reasons for this is the traditional workflow of environmental modelling, which starts with the purpose, the goal formulation, and ends with problem solutions or decision support tools. Instead, modelling, and applied science in general, has to enhance its scope beyond the problem solving stage, to do more on the problem definition and solution implementation phases. Modelling can be also used for identification of societal values and for setting purposes by appropriate communication of the modelling process and results. We believe this new approach for modelling can impact and bring the social values to the forefront of socio-environmental debate and hence turn scientific results into actions sooner rather than later. Instead of being separated from the modelling process, the translation of results should be an intrinsic part of it. We discuss several challenges for recent socio-environmental modelling and conclude with ten propositions that modellers and scientists in general can follow to improve their communication with the society and produce results that can be understood and used to improve awareness and education and spur action.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2013.12.005
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 2 - Biogeochemistry and Climate System Processes > BGC - 2.1 - Quantify & model processes that control the emission, fate and bioavailability of pollutants
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Dise
ISSN:	1364-8152
Additional Keywords:	policy making, decision support, social values, action, participatory modelling, science and policy interface
NORA Subject Terms:	General > Science Policy Computer Science Data and Information
Date made live:	07 Jan 2014 12:14 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504407

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2013.12.005

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 2 - Biogeochemistry and Climate System Processes > BGC - 2.1 - Quantify & model processes that control the emission, fate and bioavailability of pollutants

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Dise

ISSN:

1364-8152

Additional Keywords:

policy making, decision support, social values, action, participatory modelling, science and policy interface