Communicating Science and Scientific Uncertainty to the Public
From Coastal Sarasota Watersheds Wiki
Title: Communicating Science and Scientific Uncertainty to the Public
Discussion Group Leaders: Kate Spinner and Amber Whittle
Main Topic: Why is climate change such a challenging issue to address on a larger basis?
- Very little acceptance of the science… but why?
- Disparity between knowledge and cannot physically see the problem.
- When information comes out, text books are still used for many years—updated information.
- USA not much different than other countries—Australia has similar resistance.
- Scientists act as accuser rather than the jury.
- Skeptical science is a new APP on all electronics (iPhones etc) that helps bring neutral and supported scientific information.
- Science as a story might help relate to the larger public.
- There is an information overload and people cannot learn without also being entertained.
- No definitions for climate change, which is a huge issue.
- History of top down regulation has not helped build trust between stakeholders or public and scientists or trust in the government.
- There is no incentive for people to change- push for community, economic, social, or legal incentives.
- Discussion on how to target stakeholders.
Outreach and education was the overall consensus—such as the iPhone App and SBEP
