Solveig Glomsröd

Post-normal science and ecological economics: strategies for precautionary approaches and sustainable development

Ecological economics provides a research field for critical reflection on relationships between the economy and the life-sustaining ecosystems. With focus on strong uncertainty, irreversibility, strong sustainability, precautionary approaches and ethical complexity, ecological economics differs from the approach of environmental economics and shares several of the characteristics of post-normal science. Ecological economics and post-normal science express the imperative for urgent environmental action in response to strong uncertainty. The capacity to act on available knowledge is essential for precautionary approaches. As a framework for reconsidering important knowledge-generating processes in the science-policy context, we discuss the precautionary approaches suggested in the report Late lessons from early warnings from the European Environment Agency. We illustrate the role of strong and emerging uncertainties by specific cases, including biodiversity loss, genetically modified organisms (GMO), electromagnetic radiation and climate change impacts in the Arctic, as examples of areas where the reflexive context suggested by post-normal science and ecological economics is called for. As a practical approach with important policy applications, it would be useful to include perspectives from ecological economics and post-normal science in the processes of enhanced knowledge gathering and decision-making processes.

The Political Economy of Northern Regional Development : Vol. I

“….Taking the structure and functioning of the Arctic regional economies and the degree of economic dependence as a point of departure, these regions self-reliance and comparative ...

‘Late lessons from early warnings’ – uncertainty and precaution in policy approaches to Arctic climate change impacts

The complexities of the socio-ecological systems of Arctic nature and communities challenge the science community and policy makers to take into account the interactions between economic development, ecological systems, and living conditions. Strong uncertainties regarding the extent of climate change impacts and their irreversible consequences amplify the need to consider Arctic economic development in a wider context of sustainable development. Precautionary approaches are needed to consider diverse economic, environmental, and ethical values when assessing the climate change impacts and proposals for adaptation on the sustainability of Arctic environments and communities. Discussing the relevance of a precautionary approach for the Arctic context, we present the framework outlined in the report ‘Late lessons from early warnings’ from the European Environmental Agency and provide suggestions and examples of how these lessons can serve as guidelines for knowledge-gathering processes and policy strategies for adaptation to Arctic climate change impacts.