What is a Good Decision? Criteria for Environmental Decision Making

What constitutes a good decision about the environment? Some research traditions offer concepts, theories and methods intended to improve both individual and collective decision making about actions that will effect the environment. But there is relatively little explicit discussion of what would be appropriate criteria for calling an environmental decision a good choice. Six criteria for evaluating environmental decisions are suggested: human and environmental well-being, competence about facts and values, fairness in process and outcome, a reliance on human strengths rather than weaknesses, the opportunity to learn and efficiency. It is hoped that an explicit discussion of the appropriate criteria for environmental decisions will lead to better conceptualizations, better tools and ultimately better decisions.