Science, Ideology and Sustainable Development: An Actor-Oriented Approach

Abstract

A number of unsustainable trends concerning land, water and air can be observed locally, regionally and globally (European Environment Agency, 2005). Scientific method in a traditional sense of positivism has a role in making such observations and measurements visible. Natural science contributes to our understanding of climate change issues, water shortages of specific qualities or land degradation. Also social sciences have a role in relation to sustainable development (SD). In addition to the focus on specific environmental and natural resource (or ecosystem) parameters, we should focus on individuals and organisations as actors. How do specific individuals as actors understand ‘sustainable development’ and how do they perceive their own roles in relation to SD? These kinds of questions are as relevant for water specialists as for other actors.