Presenting and representing environments

de Graham Humphrys, Michael Williams

The presentation and representation of the environment can be found in every academic discipline and is a subject of increasing attention by the media. Scientists use implicit strict codes that need to be clearly understood by users of their findings. Their approach can and often does clash with alternative environmental information available from other sources that dwell on subjective aesthetic, emotional and personal sensitivities. Historical and literary accounts emphasize subjective responses to the environment, frequently eschewing measurable and measured facts provided by scientific investigation. It is vital to understand how these sources are filtered by users and applied selectively for various purposes in taking practical decisions about environmental action, in a political context and for education purposes. The chapters in this volume exemplify these important matters and demonstrate their significance in the fields of environmental action, in political contexts and for environmental education.