When discussing the issue of science-society interaction on climate change, I usually present these theses:
- Science-policy/public interaction is not an issue of the linear model of „knowledge speaks to power“.
- The problem is not that the public is stupid or uneducated.
- Scientists have failed to respond to legitimate public questions and has instead requested. “Trust us, we are scientists”.
- The problem is that the scientific knowledge is confronted on the „explanation marked“ with other forms of knowledge. Scientific knowledge does not necessarily “win” this competition.
- Non-sustainable claims-making by climate change (stealth) advocates to the public has lead to fatigue.
- Overselling goes with loss of “capital” of science, namely public trust.
Examples of other knowledge systems are provided by
- skeptics
- political interests (e.g., deniers, alarmists)
- climatic determinism
- religion
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