Corridors of Clarity: Four Principles to Overcome Uncertainty Paralysis in the Anthropocene
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Global environmental change challenges humanity because of its broad scale, long-lasting, and potentially irreversible consequences. Key to an effective response is to use an appropriate scientific lens to peer through the mist of uncertainty that threatens timely and appropriate decisions surrounding these complex issues. Identifying such corridors of clarity could help understanding critical phenomena or causal pathways sufficiently well to justify taking policy action. To this end, we suggest four principles: Follow the strongest and most direct path between policy decisions on outcomes, focus on finding sufficient evidence for policy purpose, prioritize no-regrets policies by avoiding options with controversial, uncertain, or immeasurable benefits, aim for getting the big picture roughly right rather than focusing on details.
Source: BioScience
Institutions: University of Minnesota, Stellenbosch University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Wageningen University & Research, Columbia University, Stanford University, Dartmouth College, James Cook University, Princeton University, University of Wyoming, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Athens University of Economics and Business, University of Bologna
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,088
OpenAlex ID: W3097296667