Environmental science and environmental advocacy: from 'is' in science to 'ought' in ethics

Abstract

Science and conscience have a complex, elusive relationship, nowhere better illustrated than in the relationship between environmental science and environmental ethics. Each can inform the other to connect facts with values, descriptions with prescriptions, to make advocates out of scientists and scientists out of advocates. Making these connections, always important, is more urgent than ever; indeed, the future of the planet and all those who reside on it, depends on joining science and conscience.