I believe that as public managers or environmental planners, it is our duty to inform the public of the science to environmental issues at hand. It has been confirmed that including the public in the decision making process can, when being presented as a holistic approach, create an outcome more suitable to the public. In turn involving the public can create relationships between the project, project leaders, and the public. The format of information needs to be accessible to all classes to eliminate the possibility of exclusion. Thus, it can not be only web, media, or telephone based. A public meeting prior to the starting date of the environmental process should be available. In addition, handouts should be given to the affected community and even affected region, for initial educational value of the project. These should include where to find additional information on the subject.
When educating the public on the environmental issue, additional alternatives may be able to be found through public involvement. As the public grows more attached to the issue, they will be more likely to give insight into what matters to the public locally and regionally. In turn, a collective solution could be derived to maintain a relationship between all parties. Giving the public knowledge, is also giving them authority. This frightens many planners and managers. However, we need to look at environmental issues through holistic approaches, not just a one time attempt to mitigate implications on the environment. Educating the public can only bring us closer to the goal of creating a place where environmental, social, and economic realms can be seen as not as conflicting interest but as complementary interests.
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Marie,
ReplyDeleteI agree that a collaborative process can serve as a way to educate the public. We also found in our readings that benefits exist on the side of the agencies and other stakeholders if public participation is approached proactively.
Hi Christine,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your response to the general question. I like how you listed various methods to outreach to communities and to the public. Additionally, I agree on your reference to giving the public knowledge and how that also gives them authority. This really relates to the various articles for this week's assignment.
Marie,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that the public should be engaged and education is key in doing this successfully. You did a good job listing ways the public can be engaged. I worry about the politics of environmental issues and that people tend to have a hard time suspending their belief system even when the science tells them this is the right (or wrong) things.
In addition to the numerous reasons to engage the public we found in the reading this week, I also hold the perspective that as public managers we are duty bound to involve the public. I think this aspect of working in the public sector is often overlooked and under represented. At the core of all public service is the mission to deliver the public interest.
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