In our annual research report, available on our website at
http://www.arpps.org/docs/ARPPS%20Water%20Report%20September%202006.pdf
we discuss this issue in depth.
Here is an excellent article from an Australian Policy journal indicating they have the same problem there.
An excerpt.
Environmental Fundamentalism
Predetermined beliefs rather than science are driving public policy on environmental issues.
Jennifer Marohasy
Dr. Jennifer Marohasy is Director of the Environmental Unit, Institute of Public Affairs. This is an edited version of a lecture given at the CIS on Wednesday 12th May, 2004.
Australians generally perceive themselves to be affable and rational, and part of a secular nation that determines its public policies—including policies on environmental issues—largely on the basis of evidence. Most of us feel comfortable in the belief that our fellow citizens, and especially our policy leaders, are unlikely to ever be swept along by quasi-religious ideas. The reality, however, is somewhat different. There is ample evidence that environmental fundamentalism drives public policy decision making on a range of issues with significant social and economic impact but little if any environmental benefit.
I consider myself an environmentalist. I want to ensure a beautiful, healthy, biologically diverse planet for future generations. But this will be best achieved if we are honest to the data and proceed with our minds open to the evidence. A problem with fundamentalist creeds is that they are driven by adherence to predetermined agendas and teachings. The fundamentalist’s position is rarely tolerant of new information and is generally dismissive of evidence. Environmental fundamentalism is subversive in that it draws on science to give legitimacy to its beliefs—the same beliefs that, in many instances, have no basis in observation or tested theory.
