ABSTRACT
Environmental science does not occur in a social or political vacuum. Various social and political factors can influence how science is conducted, which problems are analyzed, and which social groups or interests are included or excluded in scientific work. Analyzing the social and political influences on environmental science does not imply that problems do not exist, or that science is unhelpful, but instead seeks to make scientific explanations and expertise more inclusive and trusted. This chapter summarizes academic debates about political analyses of science, and new trends in making science and expertise more transparent and governable.
