Science Inventory

A Perspective on the Role of Uncertainty in Sustainability Science and Engineering

Citation:

Diwekar, U., A. Amekudzi-Kennedy, B. Bakshi, R. Baumgartner, R. Boumans, P. Burger, H. Cabezas, M. Egler, J. Farley, B. Fath, Tim Gleason, Y. Huang, A. Karunanithi, V. Khanna, A. Mangan, A. Mayer, R. Mukherjee, G. Mullally, V. Rico-Ramirez, D. Shonnard, M. Svanstrom, AND T. Theis. A Perspective on the Role of Uncertainty in Sustainability Science and Engineering. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 164:105140, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105140

Impact/Purpose:

The Trans-Atlantic Research and Development Interchange on Sustainability (TARDIS) Workshop is a three-day study session on scientific topics related to sustainability, stimulated by presentations, and discussion. The workshop involves participants from the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world in the multidisciplinary field of sustainability. The 2019 TARDIS group included the participation of experts from engineering, mathematical sciences, physics, ecology, economics, decision sciences, and political science fields. The theme of the 2019 workshop was "On the Role of Uncertainty in Managing the Earth for Global Sustainability." This paper presents the summary perspectives on this topic derived from talks and discussions at the 2019 TARDIS.

Description:

The Trans-Atlantic Research and Development Interchange on Sustainability Workshop (TARDIS) is a meeting on scientific topics related to sustainability. The 2019 workshop theme was "On the Role of Uncertainty in Managing the Earth for Global Sustainability." This paper presents the perspectives on this topic derived from talks and discussions at the 2019 TARDIS workshop. There are four kinds of uncertainties encountered in sustainability ranging from clear enough futures to true surprises. The current state-of-the-art in assessing and mitigating these uncertainties is discussed.