Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
thinking, or are comfortable with doing things in a particular way, or are not prepared to take
the risks (and opportunities) for innovation through the implementation of new ideas and new
knowledge.
Political leadership is often not visible and it is also very inconsistent, certainly in the
Western democratic context, where the typical UK Secretary of State for Transport is in office
for one or two years, then moves on to a 'more rewarding' set of responsibilities. The next
minister then takes several months to get up to speed on the issues, and this reduces continuity
and the effectiveness of decision-making. Much greater consistency in approach is necessary,
and this would include much more effective links across the ministries, so that a more
coordinated approach to policy-making is created that can really address the important longer
term issues facing society in the twenty-first century.
More generally, in risk terms, we often 'distance' ourselves from the more difficult issues.
For example, we have a sense of invulnerability to climate change as a 'distanced risk-group'
(Joffé, 1999). If these types of problems remain, progressive policy-making and risk aversion
results, and there is only a small chance that effective change will take place. There needs to
be a new dialogue and process in decision-making, a more effective transfer of knowledge,
and an openness and consistency in working relationships between researchers, practitioners
and politicians.
Figure 8.2
Mad Max
, 1979, directed by George Miller. 'The last law in a world gone out of control. Pray
that he's out there somewhere.' Surely we can think our way around a future such as this? Though
many would say this is already materialising in the rush for the remaining oil fields (Dennis and
Urry, 2009).
Source
: British Film Institute Stills Collection.
