Eleanor Babcock
10/23/15
Climate and Politics

The climate policy interface is an interesting network. The complexity of the relationship between climate scientists and policy bodies is worth evaluation. There is an existing clash between the ideals of environmentalists and politicians. This clash lies in the continuum of power.

Authority is a powerful thing. In terms of the power continuum which exists between climate scientists and the politicians and policy makers the politicians definitely have more power. The problem with power, however, is that many people tend to think that the people with the most power have the most expertise. This is not always true. In terms of climate research. The data and analysis is coming from scientists. The under body on the continuum of power. Some scientists do have power, but generally do not have the authority to make executive decisions on mitigation and adaptation policies.

What puts politicians in the climate debate at the top of the power spectrum? Political planning in terms of diplomatic aims is what drives political authority. Many of these strategies used come from publicity, media coverage and funding. This keeps the general public engaged and updated on politics and political aims and shines them in a positive light. Scientists, on the flip side, Have many more restrictions before they can present their findings in a public setting than political entities. They do have good amounts of funding, but are limited on the publicity side. This puts them lower in the eyes of the public because they are not constantly hearing messages and data from the scientific side of climate change like they do from the political side.

In order for the climate problem to be solved, we need for scientists and politicians to been seen on a balanced scale. This would even out tensions and lead to a brighter future in terms of climate change and political and scientific unity.