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The provision and utility of earth science to decision-makers: synthesis and key findings

Environment Systems and Decisions volume 39, pages 349–367 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

This paper synthesizes important elements from case studies presented in its companion paper (Quigley et al. in Environ Syst Decis, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-019-09728-0) to define mutual and distinct characteristics, and to develop a more holistic understanding of how earth science was used to support diverse examples of decision-making. We identify a suite of 28 different science actions used within the case studies that are classified as pertaining to (i) evidence acquisition and analysis, (ii) provision of science to target audience, or (iii) enhancing future science provision and utility. Sample action pathways provide empirically evidenced, albeit simplified, examples of how scientists may contribute to the progression of science through complex decision-making frameworks. Decision trees with multiple scientific and non-scientific inputs are presented based on empirical evidence and theory to provide scientists and decision-makers with simplified examples of complex multi-step decision-making processes under conditions of risk and uncertainty. Evidence for nonlinear engagement between decision-makers and science providers is presented, including non-traditional approaches such as provision of unsolicited science through the media and stakeholders. Examples of scientifically informed, precautionary decision-making with adaptive capacity, even where economically favourable decision alternatives exist, are provided. We undertake a self-elicitation exercise of case studies to derive values and uncertainties for % scientific agreement amongst utilized inputs and % uptake of potentially relevant and available science. We observe a tendency towards increased scientific uptake with increasing scientific agreement, but this is not ubiquitous; politically affected decisions and/or complex multi-decision scenarios under time pressure complicate this relationship. An increasing need for decision-making expediency that is not met by increased availability of relevant science evidence may rely on expert judgement, based on incomplete knowledge that is manifested as large uncertainties in defining a singular value for scientific agreement and uptake. We encourage scientists to further document their experiences using the science-action classification scheme provided herein to stimulate further comparative analyses of this nature.

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Notes

  1. Notably, Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, Cambridge University, UK, https://medium.com/wintoncentre; Institute for Risk and Uncertainty, University of Liverpool, UK, https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/risk-and-uncertainty; Mitchell Centre for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine, USA, https://umaine.edu/mitchellcenter/; Program on Science in the Public Interest, Georgetown University, USA, https://spi.georgetown.edu.

  2. See http://www.eqrecoverylearning.org/assets/downloads/res0052-land-zoning-policy-and-the-residential-red-zone2.pdf.

  3. See https://ceraarchive.dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/Documents/memorandum-for-cabinet-land-damage-june-2011_0.pdf.

  4. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10574099/Alpine-Fault-unlikely-to-trigger-Port-Hills-rockfall.

  5. http://www.chchplan.ihp.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Natural-Hazards-Part.pdf.

  6. http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/long-term-sustainability-plan.

  7. See: https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/Marine-Activities-EEZ/Activities/TTRL-Marine-Consent-Decision-EEZ000011-FINAL-version.pdf and https://www.ttrl.co.nz/fileadmin/user_upload/TTR_Media_Statement_DMC_Decision_10Aug17.pdf.

  8. See https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/cases/the-taranaki-whanganui-conservation-board-v-the-environmental-protection-authority/@@images/fileDecision?r=222.009077804.

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Acknowledgements

MQ thanks Sue Stubenvoll for the funding and encouragment to participate in, and submit evidence to, the Christchurch District Replacement Plan Hearings. The modelling conducted in case study 2 and analysis activities reported, and the development of the armonline.com.au tools were made possible through funding provided by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries—University of Southern Queensland Broad Acre Grains Partnership. Dr Lance Pedergast (Senior Development Agronomist with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) assisted in the design, analysis and communication of chickpea analysis presented in this case study. Mr Howard Cox (Senior Agronomist Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) has contributed to the design and development of the ARM online tools. The author of case study 5 (PD) would like to thank Ray Wood and Renee Grogan for discussing many aspects of the CRP application and EPANZ hearing and decision. Their comments and suggestion greatly improved the original document. Hamish Campbell is also acknowledged for providing a thorough review of the draft. The paper benefited from a highly thoughtful review by Emma Hudson-Doyle and two anonymous reviewers. We thank Igor Linkov for the professional editorship of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Mark C. Quigley

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Mark C. Quigley

  3. School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Luke G. Bennetts

  4. GNS Science, 1 Fairway Drive, Lower Hutt, 5010, New Zealand

    Patricia Durance

  5. CSIRO Data61, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Petra M. Kuhnert

  6. Centre for Exploration Targeting, School of Earth Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Mark D. Lindsay

  7. School of Agricultural, Computational and Environmental Sciences and Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia

    Keith G. Pembleton

  8. Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia

    Melanie E. Roberts

  9. School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Melanie E. Roberts

  10. School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia

    Christopher J. White

  11. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

    Christopher J. White

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  1. Mark C. Quigley
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Correspondence to Mark C. Quigley.

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Quigley, M.C., Bennetts, L.G., Durance, P. et al. The provision and utility of earth science to decision-makers: synthesis and key findings. Environ Syst Decis 39, 349–367 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-019-09737-z

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Keywords

  • Earth science
  • Policy
  • Decision-making
  • Natural disasters