A central focus in science, technology and society studies examines uses of science and scientific tools in societal and organizational decision-making. These are situations where values have important influence, particularly in areas of scientific complexity and uncertainty. Global change represents a new area of scientific study, directed at predicting the effects of natural processes and human technology on the biosphere. The complexity and urgency surrounding the development of this field and application of its findings makes it an important area to study. This project will examine two global change/earth system science cases: carbon dioxide and ozone. It will explore the nature and implications of the developing scientific understanding of these phenomena, with particular attention to the values and evidence that ground scientific assumptions, methods, and findings. The study will proceed in six stages: collection of pertinent literature and identification of key participants; evaluation and analysis of key issues from key documents; isolation, evaluation and analysis of issues with respect to carbon dioxide and ozone; development and administration of questionnaires and interviews of key informants; analysis of findings with respect to the two cases; and presentation and publication of results. This project addresses a very important issue. The principal investigator and consultant are very well qualified; institutional support is very good; collaborative efforts are likely to continue beyond the period of this award; results are likely to be appropriately disseminated and useful. An award in the amount of $54,327 is therefore recommended.
