Post-Normal Science (PNS) : Rethinking Air Quality and Climate Policy

Post-normal science (PNS) is a problem-solving approach suitable for situations where facts are uncertain, values are disputed, stakes are high, and decisions are urgent - conditions commonly found in air pollution and climate change policy. PNS complements, rather than replaces, applied science and professional consultancy, without undermining the reliability or expertise of traditional scientific knowledge in its legitimate contexts.

Air pollution and climate change are deeply embedded in the development of post-industrial society, often referred to as a fossil fuel civilization. Both share common sources of emissions and have complex, interconnected effects on ecosystems and human health. The process leading to the National Council on Climate Change and Air Pollution (NCCA)’s public policy proposal provides an excellent example of how the PNS framework can be applied. Moreover, the core concept of PNS - 'extension of peer communities' - holds potential for adoption in the field of global environmental science.