Avoiding a post-truth World: Embracing post-normal conservation

Rose, D. C. (2018) Avoiding a post-truth World: Embracing post-normal conservation. Conservation and Society, 16 (4). pp. 518-524. ISSN 0972-4923 doi: 10.4103/cs.cs_17_131

Abstract/Summary

In response to unexpected election results across the world, and a perceived increase of policy decisions that disregard scientific evidence, conservation scientists are reflecting on working in a ?post-truth? world. This phrase is useful in making scientists aware that policy-making is messy, and multi-faceted, but it may be misused. By introducing three different scenarios of conservation decision-making, this perspective argues that a mythical era of ?science or truth conservation? has never existed. Since an ?extended peer community? of decision-makers (policy-makers, practitioners, stakeholders) are present in multi-layered governance structures, conservation has always been ?post-normal?. To decrease the chances of ?post-truth? decision-making occurring, the perspective encourages scientists to think carefully about scientific workflows and science communication. Developing a conservation narrative which does not see values, beliefs, and interests, as key parts of modern functioning democracies risks upholding a perception of the disconnected ivory tower of science. Rather, co-productive relationships should be established with decision-makers, and we should harness the power of storytelling to engage people on a personal level. This perspective encourages scientists to take heed of research on stakeholder engagement and storytelling, and to embrace workflows suited to post-normal conservation, rather than trying to deny that a post-normal world exists.