Communicating Scientific Uncertainty: A Lawyer’s Perspective
February 2015
Citation:
45
ELR 10159
Issue
2
Scientific uncertainty is both inevitable and the source of communication challenges: science, law, and journalism each have different views of and uses for uncertainty. When dealing with uncertainty on policy issues such as climate change, these differing perspectives can lead to misunderstanding, controversy, and gridlock. The author offers his reflections on the legal process and legal ethics as applied to issues of scientific uncertainty. He concludes that lawyers can strengthen their ability to serve clients and the public if they enhance their understanding of scientific uncertainty and obstacles to communication and learn ways to communicate more effectively.
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