Incorporating and Communicating Climate Change Uncertainties in Environmental Assessments

Climate change is a major environmental concern of regional, national, and international scope, but its inherent uncertainties have often been cited as the main reason for delaying any actions to mitigate its potential impacts. Recent reviews of environmental impact assessments have shown that impacts from climate change have been inadequately addressed and that the corresponding uncertainties have been addressed even more poorly within them. However, this inaction runs completely contrary to the principles of sound risk management, since a proper consideration of the impact from uncertainty increases, rather than decreases, the rationale for preventative action. Irrespective of climate uncertainties, decisions have to be made today and it proves a better course of action to adopt the precautionary principle when making these decisions by recognizing the uncertainties rather than by ignoring them completely.

Recognizing these shortcomings, Incorporating and Communicating Climate Change Uncertainties in Environmental Assessments demonstrates methods for addressing, incorporating, and communicating the inherent uncertainties surrounding climate change in environmental impact assessments. Clearly, potential impacts from climate change require immediate attention because of the uncertainties, not in spite of them.