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Wicked Environmental Problems

Managing Uncertainty and Conflict

  • Book
  • © 2011
  • Latest edition

Overview

Authors:
  1. Peter J. Balint
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  2. Ronald E. Stewart
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  3. Anand Desai
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  4. Lawrence C. Walters
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  • Factors characterizing wicked problems—long-term, large-scale, entrenched interests, compounding risks and uncertainties—are part of many environmental problems; learning to address these dilemmas is an essential skill for environmental problem-solvers
  • Authors explore the use of learning networks as a way to address uncertainties and conflicts inherent in wicked problems; the book offers practical guidance and resources
  • Offers real experience and therefore is valuable to students and practitioners

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About this book

This new book examines past experience and future directions in the management of so-called "wicked" environmental problems-those characterized by large-scale, long-term policy dilemmas and contentious political stalemates. Most important, the book reviews current thinking on the way forward, focusing on the implementation of "learning networks," in which public managers, technical experts, and public stakeholders collaborate in decision-making processes that are analytic, iterative, and deliberative.

Wicked Environmental Problems offers new approaches for managing environmental conflicts and shows how managers could apply these approaches within common, real-world statutory decision-making frameworks. It is essential reading for anyone concerned with managing environmental problems.

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
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  2. The Challenge of Wicked Problems

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 1-6

  3. Risk and Uncertainty in Environmental Management

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 7-32

  4. Four Wicked Cases

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 33-63

  5. The Precautionary Principle

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 65-77

  6. Adaptive Management

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 79-102

  7. Participatory Processes

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 103-127

  8. A Proposed Adaptive, Deliberative Decision Process

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 129-147

  9. The Sierra Nevada Example: Survey of Stakeholders

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 149-166

  10. The Sierra Nevada Example: Elicitation and Analysis of Preferences

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 167-205

  11. Managing Wicked Environmental Problems

    • Peter J. Balint, Ronald E. Stewart, Anand Desai, Lawrence C. Walters
    Pages 207-217

  12. Back Matter

    Pages 219-253
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About the authors

Peter J. Balint is an associate professor of environmental policy in the Department of Public and International Affairs, George Mason University. Ronald E. Stewart spent thirty years with the USDA Forest Service as Deputy Chief for Programs and Legislation and five years on the faculty of the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University. Anand Desai is a Professor at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University, in Columbus. Lawrence C. Walters is Stewart Grow Professor of Public Policy and Management in the Romney Institute, Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah.

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