Environmental Communication and Policy Makers

Abstract

This chapter focuses on three interrelated issues that we assume are relevant for understanding this interplay: the conceptualization of the interface of environmental communication and policy makers, the role of experts and expertise in environmental communication in the political realm, and policy makers’ perspectives on environmental communication. Even if scientific experts try to avoid taking sides and policy makers attempt to use expertise merely as an information source, the communicative processes are likely to draw science and scientists into disputes and controversies. Policy making takes place in highly complex and dynamic situations in which the participants are several influential actors from fragmented and multi-level political systems. Communication on the environment might become even less distinguishable from that on economic growth, public well-being, and social justice. Since the 1970s, the normative debate about the responsibility to preserve nature for the well-being of future generations has inspired discussions about the legal obligations.