The Role of Environmental Scientists

Abstract

This chapter consists of three short essays discussing different aspects of the role of environmental scientists in environmental planning and management.

The first discusses the difference between environmental science and environmental management. Science and management have different goals, and so do scientists and managers. Environmental science is a vital component of environmental management, but not the only one. The main problems in environmental planning and management at present are institutional rather than technical

The second discusses a number of recent proposals for improving EIA. At present, EIA is generally carried out by consultants on behalf of proponents. There have been suggestions that it could be improved if it were carried out directly by the government; by independent consultants nominated by planning agencies; or by judicial inquiries. Alternatively, EIS’s could be reviewed by consultants on behalf of government, so that one team of consultants prepared the EIS and another criticised it. It has also been suggested that EIS’s should present economic information in the same detail as environmental information.

The third examines the role of ecologists in industry. Ecologists interact with private enterprise both from inside and outside the private sector. In addition, private enterprise includes a wide range of activities not of particular concern to ecologists; and industry includes public-sector corporations such as electricity commissions, as well as private-sector corporations. This contribution is concerned principally with ecologists working in industry.

As an Appendix, the chapter includes a generic environmental policy for industry institutes and associations, easily adapted to specific industries.