Public Participation in Sustainability Science: A Handbook

Description

This book discusses how citizens can participate more effectively in sustainability science and environmental policy debates. It discusses designs for participatory procedures, and experiences of their application to issues of global change. While the focus is on citizen participation, the involvement of specific stakeholders - including water managers and venture capitalists - is also addressed. The book describes how focus group methods were combined with the interactive use of computer models into new forms of participation, tested with six hundred citizens. The results are discussed in relation to other important topics, including greenhouse gas and water management. By combining this with an examination of issues of interactive governance and developing country participation, the book provides state-of-the-art, practical insights for students, researchers and policy makers alike.

'... a fascinating reflexive account of the 'voyage of discovery' undertaken by a research community, and makes stimulating reading for anyone interested in participatory integrated assessment research.' Environmental Values '... a solid, rigorous contribution that will be useful for scholars in the sociology of science, citizenship studies and environmental education as well.' Political Studies Review '... the forensically detailed write-ups of the data, including copious quotations from participants, assists the reader in judging the value of the research - a degree of flexibility for which the authors ought to be commended ... The book addresses many intriguing issues.' Public Administration