Description:
Issues of sustainability are typically tied to the language of science research. Solutions are often described in technical terms without much mention of the broader public who will ultimately be affected and have to participate in some way, shape or form. In episode 2, we looked into the research-side of this question when we discussed transdisciplinary research. Today we’re gonna try to tackle the communications side of sustainable transitions for the worlds we want and hopefully illustrate the challenges and opportunities for scientists, policymakers, and the average citizen.
In this show, we are going to talk about some of the issues inherent to science communication and Future Earth’s role in the changing context for the communication of scientific research. We’ll also try to make sense of some thornier questions related to Fake News and Post-truth politics, as well as the concept of framing and its usefulness for engaging the non-scientific public.
Part 2 can be found here.
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Music featured in this episode:
- Outro “Plans fall through†by Alexia Avina
- Opening bit featuring Trump on the Climate accord includes “Search for the Truth,†and audio from Trump’s On June 1, 2017 press conference, mixed by Cheryl Gladu. Done purely to explore some conspiratorial vibes.
The people interviewed in this episode are:
- Christina Cook, Science Officer, Synthesis & Foresight, Montreal, Future Earth, and Research Associate at the Loyola Sustainability Research Centre(LSRC), Concordia University.
- Jo-Ting Huang-Lachmann, PhD Candidate at TU Dresden and Research Associate at Chair of Environmental Management and Accounting, Faculty of Business and Economics. Part of the Early Career Researchers Network.
- Andrew Kaniki, Executive Director for Knowledge Fields Development at the South African National Research Foundation.
- Gordon McBean, President of the International Council for Science(ICSU), and Co-Chair of Future Earth’s Governing Council.
- Asher Minns, Executive Director Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia
- Rebecca Oliver, Senior Engagement and Dialogue Lead, Sweden Hub of Future Earth.
- Jakob Rhyner, United Nations University (UNU) Vice-Rector in Europe and Director of the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security, and Co-Chair of the Governing Council at Future Earth.
- Alistair Scrutton, Global Communications Director at Future Earth
- Peter Timmerman, Associate Professor, Business & the Environment Coordinator, York University, Faculty of Environmental Studies.
- David Usher, musician, author, speaker, all-round nice guy, and, founder and creative director of the Human Impact Lab at Concordia University.
A few things referenced in the show:
Recommended reading:
- Wicked Problems, Dynamic Solutions: The Ecosystem Approach and Systems Thinking: https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/e-learning/wicked-problems-dynamic-solutions-ecosystem-approach-and-systems-thinking
- Public trust in science news is dangerously low, new Ontario Science Centre study reveals: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/public-trust-in-science-news-is-dangerously-low-new-ontario-science-centre-study-reveals-645328533.html
- Once considered a boon to democracy, social media have started to look like its nemesis: https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21730870-economy-based-attention-easily-gamed-once-considered-boon-democracy-social-media
- The Hunger for Abundance amid a World of Scarcity, by Peter Timmerman: https://www.humansandnature.org/economy-peter-timmerman
- Brown, P. G., & Timmerman, P. (Eds.). (2015). Ecological economics for the Anthropocene: An emerging paradigm. Columbia University Press.Â
