Cures vs Consequences: How does Government navigate the science? – SYDNEY

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Join Matt Ridley in Sydney on Thursday, November 9 or a thought-provoking discussion on the critical role of Government in shaping climate, health, and energy policies.

Scientists aren’t infallible authorities who universally override political disagreements, nor are they unscrupulous fraudsters with hidden political agendas. Somewhere between the two lies the truth: Science is a flawed and all too human affair, but it can generate timeless truths, and reliable practical guidance, in a way that other approaches cannot.

How can the average person make sense of the often-conflicting scientific opinions that have arisen during the COVID pandemic and in the discussions about climate and energy policies? Unfortunately, there’s no easy solution when it comes to scientific debate.

The only way to be sure that one scientific claim is solid while another is not, is to check out the evidence for yourself. Relying on the reputation of the scientist, or the reporter reporting it, is the way that many of us go, and is better than nothing, but it is not infallible. If in doubt, do your homework!

Matt Ridley is a British author, journalist, businessman and retired member of the UK House of Lords known for his writings on science, the environment, and economics.

Ridley is a prolific writer and has authored several books, including The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves, The Evolution of Everything: How Ideas Emerge and, most recently, Viral: The search for the origin of Covid-19. In 2020, CIS published Innovation in Australia by Matt. His works often explore topics related to human evolution, genetics, and societal progress.

Peter Kurti is Director of the Culture, Prosperity & Civil Society program.