Making the Case for the Social Sciences: No.3 - Sustainabilty, the Environment and Climate Change
For several decades scientists have argued that the increasing demands being placed on the planet?s resources are in the long run unsustainable. The precise consequences of the growing global population for climate change remain uncertain in their timing and distribution but we are already observing declines in biodiversity, widespread destruction of forests, exhaustion of fisheries, soil erosion and environmental pollution. Add to this mix the threat of climate change linked to rising sea-levels, water shortages and more extreme weather events, and the outlook worsens. This report highlights that the work of social scientists is central to finding solutions since the causes and consequences of such environmental issues are broadly societal. The case studies included in the report seek to demonstrate the extensive and continuing contribution of social research to the development of appropriate solutions through policy initiative and best practice at all scales of governance.
