To What Extent Are We Using Science for Sustainable Development? [View all]
I came across this analytical opinion piece in the current issue of Environmental Science and Technology:
To What Extent Are We Using Science for Sustainable Development? Susan Schneegans and Tiffany R. A. Straza Environmental Science & Technology 2023 57 (44), 16719-16727
The paper is part a bibliographic analysis.
It contains this trenchant remark:
The study found that a much larger volume of scientific publications was documenting environmental decline than promoting sustainable solutions. For instance, studies analyzing the local impact of climate-related hazards and disasters grew faster between 2011 and 2019 than studies on local disaster risk reduction strategies or new technology to protect from climate-related hazards (Figure 2). Scientific publications documenting floating plastic in the ocean grew faster than research into ecological alternatives to plastics (Figure 2).
Except for tiresome blather about solar and wind energy (and worse, hydrogen), none of which has proved useful despite half a century of chanting, chanting now reaching a level equivalent to saying the rosary to cure cancer, it almost it feels like what goes on at DU to a large extent.
The problem extends way beyond DU of course, into the greater culture, including the culture of science apparently.
If we are to save anything left to save, and restore what can be restored, we need to change our focus.