Item

Abstract

In this paper we present a preliminary and exploratory analysis of a series of in-
depth interviews conducted with twenty eight climate scientists. After justifying the need
for such research we present some preliminary results. These are in the form of: (1) the
perceptions of risk and hazard as they relate to global warming; (2) the typification of
issues drawn from the triadic relationship of science-politics-public and; (3) the typification
of ‘scientific personalities’. The perceptions of risk and hazard and typifications of issues
are presented as brief edited excerpts from a broader range of the interviews. The
typification of ‘scientific personalities’ are presented as three lengthy edited excerpts from
interviews with three scientists. Finally, based on the qualitative data in the interviews, we
draw a brief conclusion regarding the nature of the research of global climate change.
While the data demonstrates that, for the most part, the risk of global climate
change is a consensual product of scientific practice, the hazards associated with the event
are determined to have a much closer aflinity with the scientist’s personal belief system. It
is often these beliefs that come to play a role in the application of science to the public and
political spheres.