ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we examine how uncertainty is understood by climate scientists and policymakers at national and sub-national levels, considered the “above” in this volume. The “above” is very diverse, and this chapter teases out this heterogeneity and demonstrates that while the “above” is deeply aware of the challenges of integrating uncertainty in scientific understandings, there is still a strong adherence to conventional scientific assessments such as modelling and predictions and “mastering” uncertainty instead of embracing uncertainty. We also focus on the challenges and frustrations that many scientists and experts have with the politics of uncertainty and the challenges of communicating uncertainty to decision-makers who do not care for such nuances and seek predictability. Finally, despite some attempts to bridge gaps between the “above” and “below”, we find that in the Indian context there is significant resistance to construct alternative approaches and systems that embrace plural knowledges and experiences from “below”.
