Beyond consensus : reflections from a democratic perspective on the interaction between climate politics and science

摘要: The international debate about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and climate science in aftermath of ‘Climategate’ gives cause for reflection. While main emphasis lies evaluating procedures IPCC during production fourth assessment report, too little attention has been paid to political role IPCC. This article reflects that by distinguishing three strategies deal with scientific uncertainties interfacing policy: 1) quantify uncertainty, 2) building consensus, 3) openness ignorance. Each strategy strengths weaknesses. way community set up its basically guided consensus approach. current restoring faith improving reinforces this strategy. Guaranteeing reliability reports is indeed essential but it does not address weakness approach: underexposure both dissent. As a result become politicized over past decades. Moreover, as we illustrate Netherlands, approach hindered full-blown debate. third policy aims more diversity deep uncertainty knowledge views may inspire democratic ways organize interface between politics science.