Bertram, Michael
- Institutionen för vilt, fisk och miljö, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Sammanfattning
Scientific evidence supports dominant institutional understandings of the global socio-ecological crises of the triple planetary crisis-climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution-demonstrating the profound impacts of human activities on Earth systems. Pollution is intimately tied to these crises, through extractivism and production of chemicals, including plastics and poses serious threats to the environment and human rights. While science is often invoked in multilateral environmental for addressing chemicals, plastics, waste and pollution, some critically important dilemmas, conflicts of interest and power imbalances arise. In this context, the Right to Science, the right of all people to benefit from scientific progress and its applications, offers a powerful yet underutilised tool. Recognised in Article 15(1)(b) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, this right reinforces the importance of evidence-based decision-making. However, it is increasingly undermined by vested interests deploying strategies of denial, delay, manufactured ignorance and misinformation. Upholding this right requires concrete measures: public funding for science and education, academic freedom, data transparency, meaningful participation of diverse knowledge holders and mechanisms to address conflicts of interest. Embedding a rights-based approach into Multilateral Environmental Agreements can help ensure science serves the public interest in addressing the pollution crisis.
Nyckelord
Human Rights; knowledge systems; conflicts of interest; environmental justice; governance; science-policy interface
Publicerad i
The International Journal of Human Rights
2025
Utgivare: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR AND FRANCIS LTD
SLU författare
UKÄ forskningsämne
Miljövetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap
Publikationens identifierare
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2025.2584007
Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/144891