Publisher's Synopsis
This book focuses on the interaction of environmental engineers and scientists with key stakeholders â€" government, industry, the public and community groups â€" and on the interface between the technical inputs to environmental decision-making and the socio-political context in which decisions are made. Effective professional scientists and engineers need to understand this context â€" the socially-derived factors which influence the fate of their input to decision-making â€" as well as the social and values-based components of their professional practice that in turn influence its interpretation. Each chapter evaluates a stage in the process of decision-making and there are also chapters which explore conceptual themes, including 'world views', public participation, risk, professional responsibility and politics.
