| This dissertation highlights a number of potential openings for increased public participation in the allocation of federal resources for global climate change research. The study uses interviews and document searches to examine the interaction of the environmental non-profits, industrial trade organizations, federal research agencies participating in the U.S. Global Climate Research Program (USGCRP), the Administration and the Congress. It establishes a participatory democratic theory to address power relationships that prevent public participation in the decision-making processes for allocating resources to the USGCRP. Elite groups use various forms of power to control the ability of others to participate in setting the direction for global climate change research. This study identifies three problem areas for increasing participation--inequality of actors, lack of public responsibility, and inability to deliberate on scientific issues--and proposes possible solutions. It addresses each problem area in turn. It chronicles the use of a "prove-it-first" research strategy by laissez-faire supporters in the administration to prevent the regulation of the energy-producing industries and shows how an action oriented research agenda requires an increase in public participation compared to simply a "prove-it-first" research focus. The dissertation highlights current actions surrounding the global climate issue and the reluctance of environmental non-profits to focus on long-term federal research activities. The findings show the benefits that could come from a closer collaboration between industry, the environmental non-profits, and the federal government, the potential for increasing public involvement by refocusing research toward local and regional issues instead of at the current national and international scale, and the emphasis of public education for empowerment to provide the public with the skills needed to deliberate effectively on important political issues. Overall, the results suggest potential problems for the National Science and Technology Council, which uses the USGCRP as a model program, and the new 104th Congress. |
