Scientist, researchers, and acid rain

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Environmental Systems; (USA)

OSTI ID:7119696

Alm, L R ^[1]

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1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA)

The role of the hidden participants in agenda-setting for environmental issues is discussed. These personnel involve academics, researchers, career bureaucrats, congressional staffers, consultants, and administration appointees below the top level. Scientists have been publicly involved in the acid rain issue from the beginning, using the media to dramatize the possible catastrophic consequences of acid rain. Presently, the scientific community is not in consensus about the solutions to the problem. Since the initial enactment of the National Acid Precipitation Act in 1980, not a single acid rain law has been passed, although many bills have been proposed. Spokesman for the coal and utility industries and Reagan administration personnel have used the scientific disagreements to delay abatement actions and refute claims that acid rain is a severe problem. Another result of the confusion is a distrust and even disdain for academic work. One possible solution to the stalemate is an accurate form for resolving scientific disputes that have a strong political component and that the forum should have a mechanism for converging on accurate science. 19 refs.

• OSTI ID: 7119696
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Systems; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Systems; (USA) Vol. 18:3; ISSN JEVSB; ISSN 0047-2433
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
COAL INDUSTRY
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LEGISLATION
NAPAP
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RAIN