Uncertainty on a Himalayan Scale

摘要: The Himalaya, all the experts agree, face serious environmental problems; they are caught in a downward spiral. rate of fuelwood consumption, for instance, is asserted to be far excess at which forest grows. However, expert estimates these two rates vary by such immense factors that we simply cannot say whether spiral, if it exists, upward or downward. There something severely wrong with Himalaya but tell what is. traditional response - call more research has not worked and perceived urgency situation calls action now, before too late. challenge furnish non-arbitrary strategic framework action. Putting together new synthesis hard soft science. When, try as you may, find out facts really can still do something. You why cant are. authors (a cultural anthropologist, an ecologist-turned-historian natural resource economist) begin showing how institutions their contradictory problem definitions international agencies insisting there many people; people themselves enough food continually muddle scientists efforts pinpoint going on why. In important sense, argue, "are" facts. They then go show combination approaches obtainable physical correlated institutional provide immediate This, because anticipates grassroots obstacles often get way conventionally designed development programmes, actually improves sorts hard-fact dominated frameworks unobtainable anyway. uncertainty itself key. That surprising hopeful, message this book.