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Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
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Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology; 2000; v. 33; issue.2; p. 176
© 2000 Geological Society of London

Book Review

A Paradox of Power: Voices of Warning and Reason in the Geosciences.

D. Holmes

C. W. Welby & M. E. Gowan (eds). Geological Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 33, 176. Society of America, Reviews in Engineering Geology, Volume 12, 1998. £38.50 hardback; ix + 185pp. ISBN 0-8137-4112-2.

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The volume has evolved from papers presented, under the themes of warning and reason, at annual meetings of the GSA’s Institute for Environmental Education and Committee on Geology and Public policy held between 1992 and 1995. The ‘Voices’ sessions of these meetings provided a forum for the discussion of how geoscientists can be problem solvers in environmental conflicts. Out of the many examples available the editors have selected those which examine issues of public health and welfare under four groupings.

Firstly, issues related to decision making about land use and natural resources include examples of how complex geo-scientific information can be presented to the public and decision makers to facilitate discussion and problem solving. Wetlands in Connecticut provide an example of how a complex and fragile system is perceived by the public as being natural when in reality it is a product of many centuries of man’s activities which are ongoing. The paper shows how the story of the wetlands has unfolded and how it can be effectively presented.

Secondly, issues of geology and health are highlighted and show how the public can be made aware, or warned as the title states, of various geological hazards such as possible exposure to radon gas, groundwater contamination and outbreaks of valley fever related earthquakes and related natural phenomena.

Thirdly, papers grouped under the voices of reason banner offer alternatives to how regulators and engineers normally go about characterizing and solving environmental problems in the USA. Examples include how a better understanding of . . . [Full Text of this Article]