Limitations of Climate Science

One major limitation of climate science is that it is often difficult to translate scientific findings into actionable policies. This is because climate science is concerned primarily with understanding the physical processes that drive climate change, whereas policy-making requires an understanding of the social, economic, and political factors that influence the adoption of climate policies. Sociology, the study of human social behaviour and interactions, can help bridge this gap by providing insight into how individuals and societies understand and respond to the threat of climate crisis.

Post-Normal Science: A Holistic Approach

Undoubtedly, the issue is complex and multifaceted and requires a holistic approach to address it effectively. One approach that has been gaining traction in recent years is that of post-normal science (PNS). Post-normal science, as defined by Funtowicz and Ravetz (1993) is a paradigm shift in the way we approach scientific research and decision-making. It recognizes that many of the problems we face today, such as climate change, are complex and uncertain, and require a different approach than traditional science. It is a problem-solving strategy appropriate when facts are uncertain, values are in dispute, stakes are high and decisions are urgent.

Key aspects of Post-Normal Science

One key aspect of post-normal science is the recognition that science is not neutral, but is influenced by societal values and interests. Therefore, it is essential to involve stakeholders, such as policymakers and community members, in the scientific process. This helps to ensure that the research is relevant and addresses the concerns of those most affected by the problem. Another important aspect of post-normal science is the use of multiple forms of knowledge. Traditional science relies primarily on quantitative data, but post-normal science recognizes the importance of other forms of knowledge, such as local and indigenous knowledge, as well as the perspectives of experts in fields such as sociology, philosophy, and economics.

Climate Crisis and Post-Normal Science

Quoting the “Introduction: Post-Normal Climate Science. Nature and Culture” by Krauss, Werner & Schäfer, Mike & Von Storch, Hans: A Nature editorial as a follow-up to our workshop argued that seen through the lens of post-normal science, it is indispensable for a successful practice of climate science to “embrace the idea that public and stakeholder participation can help to define research priorities[,] … and that those with direct needs for climate-related information—businesses, regional planners, government departments—have a greater say in the kind of services and knowledge that they expect publicly funded researchers to produce. (Anonymous 2011: 123).

Hence, in the context of the climate crisis, Post-Normal Science can help us to better understand the complex interactions between the climate system and human societies. It can also help us to identify the most effective strategies for addressing the crisis, and to involve all stakeholders in the decision-making process. To face the climate crisis from a post-normal science perspective, we need to take a holistic approach that involves multiple forms of knowledge and perspectives. We must also recognize that the issue is deeply rooted in societal values and interests, and that addressing it will require a collective effort from all sectors of society.

Suggested Readings

• Funtowicz, S. and Ravetz, J. (1993) Science for the post-normal age, Futures, 25, pp. 739-755. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/001632879390022L
• Silvio Funtowicz, “A quick guide to post-normal science”, Integration and Implementation Insights, 19/10/2021, https://i2insights.org/2021/10/19/guide-to-post-normal-science/ (accessed 16/01/2023)
• Krauss, Werner & Schäfer, Mike & Von Storch, Hans. (2012). Introduction: Post-Normal Climate Science. Nature and Culture. 7. 121-1332. 10.3167/nc.2012.070201.
• Hulme, Mike. 2007. “The Appliance of Science.” Guardian, 14 March. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2007/mar/14/scienceofclimatechange.climatechange (accessed 16/01/2023)
• L’Astorina, A. & Mangia, C. (eds). (2022). Scienza, politica e società: l’approccio post-normale in teoria e nelle pratiche. SCIENZIATI IN AFFANNO? (Vol. 1): pp.296. Cnr Edizioni. https://doi.org/10.26324/SIA1.PNS.
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An article published in January 2022 by Raju, Boyd, and Otto, begins with an enlightening incipit: “Disasters occur when hazards meet vulnerability”.  

According to United Nations (UN) terminology, Risk is the combination of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Hence the purpose of risk research and analysis is to reduce the impacts of events and save our lives and societies, modifying one of the three components of risk: hazard, exposure and vulnerability. It is acknowledged that an earthquake in the desert is risk zero. But as a matter of fact, risks mainly occur in a social context and are necessarily connected to people’s activities. 

Hence saying disasters occur when hazards meet vulnerability underlines that it is fundamental to develop knowledge and assess risk throughout the disaster life cycle not only as a physical event but also considering its economic and social dimension.

It is nothing new that also risk management studies emphasise the importance of greater integration of disciplines. But it is not a matter of course that researchers from different disciplines compare notes to find ways to cooperate and collaborate operationally. This was the idea that animated the meeting held on 12 December on Flood Risk Assessment and forecasting, organised by CNR-Ibe, where the speakers illustrated and exchanged their approaches, with a special focus on social impact assessment. We hope this seminar represents the first step towards further exchanges and operational ways to integrate the different perspectives that share a common goal: reduce the impact of risks.

The Videos

Keynote Speakers

6 Videos

Vieri Tarchiani - Introduction

11:12

Maurizio Tiepolo

29:46

Antonio Aledo

31:26

Guadalupe Ortiz

26:06

Lauro Rossi

37:05

Discussion

51:07

The Presentations

Maurizio Tiepolo

Antonio Aledo

Guadalupe Ortiz

Lauro Rossi

Maurizio Tiepolo

Antonio Aledo

Guadalupe Ortiz

Lauro Rossi

The Speakers

Antonio Aledo

Full Professor at the University of Alicante (UA). PhD in Sociology and MSc in Anthropology (Louisiana State University) with more than 70 articles and book chapters published. He teaches Environmental Sociology and Sociology of Risk at the UA. His line of research focuses on the development of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) methodologies and social vulnerability analysis applied to megaprojects and natural disasters. He investigated the social impacts of megaprojects such as the expansion of the Panama Canal, a set of dams in the upper Paraná River basin (Brazil) and the Baker River (Chilean Patagonia) or mining projects in the Brazilian Amazon. In the field of natural disasters, he is applying SIA to flood and earthquake hazards. He is the director of the Socioeconomic Observatory of Floods and Droughts at the Institute of Water and Environmental Sciences (UA) and collaborator of the Scientific Division of Environmental Management, Science and Technology, University of Sao Paulo.

Guadalupe Ortiz

PhD in Sociology at University of Alicante (UA) and a MSc in Environmental Management at University of Valencia. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology I (University of Alicante), deputy director of the Institute of Water and Environmental Sciences, director of the directs Population, Environment and Development research group and deputy director of the Socioeconomic Observatory of Floods and Droughts. She has chaired the Research Committee 21 of Sociology and Environment of the Spanish Federation of Sociology. She is specialised in Environmental Sociology. Her main line of work focuses on the development of methodological tools for the diagnosis and management of socio-environmental problems,
with a recent interest in the impacts of natural disasters, as well as the application of participatory and transdisciplinary approaches to environmental management.

Maurizio Tiepolo

Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at DIST (Dipartimento Interateneo di Scienze, Progetto e Politiche del Territorio) - Politecnico di Torino. He has been studying measures to address flood, drought and warm spell risk in the rural and urban tropics since 2011. He has coordinated several local risk reduction plans. Areas of academic interest are Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Planning, Disaster Risk Reduction, Land policies, Land surface temperature, Land Tenure, Land use/land cover change, Local Development, Regional Planning, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning. He has been scientific responsible of several international projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. His research is interdisciplinary: Agronomy, Geomatics, Hydraulics, Hydrology, and Climatology. The involvement of networks of researchers aims to enrich methods and comparisons. Innovative methods and research findings are then shared through vocational training in Italy and the Global South.

Lauro Rossi

Environmental Engineer with more than 20 years of relevant experience in Disaster Risk Reduction at national and international level, with special focus on flood risk assessment and Early Warning System (EWS). As EWS Program Director, he coordinates CIMA Innovation, Development and Implementation of Early Warning Systems in different contexts and for different hazards (floods, droughts, wildfires). He has a long record of successful implementations of research and operational projects, as well as complex international DRR projects mainly in Africa, Latin America and Caribbean. Consolidated experience in building consensus, partnership and negotiation with governments, UN system and international investment banks for the implementation of projects at regional and country scale. Active participation as invited speaker in international conferences and author of papers in international refereed journals, scientific reports and book chapters.

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