Corridors of Clarity: Four Principles to Overcome Uncertainty Paralysis in the Anthropocene. (28th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Polasky, Stephen; Crépin, Anne-Sophie; Biggs, Reinette (Oonsie); Carpenter, Stephen R; Folke, Carl; Peterson, Garry; Scheffer, Marten; Barrett, Scott; Daily, Gretchen; Ehrlich, Paul; Howarth, Richard B; Hughes, Terry; Levin, Simon A; Shogren, Jason F; Troell, Max; Walker, Brian; Xepapadeas, Anastasios
• Is Part Of: BioScience. Volume 70:Number 12(2020:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1139
• Page End: 1144
• Publication Date: 2020-10-28
• Subjects: global environmental change -- science–policy interface -- sufficient evidence -- uncertainty; Life sciences -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- United States -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology industries -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3568

Abstract

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.