REply: to David Hahn-Baker

[Fred Stoss <fstoss@acsu.buffalo.edu>]

I know David and his work, and I'd like to comment on something that adds to the piece I wrote in reply to Andrea L. Stoeckel.

I mentioned that access to and understanding of environmental data and information can be used to define individuals and organizations and institutions according to those that have and those that do not have such access or understandings.

David, has touched on perhaps the single most important aspect of soliciting public involvement with ANY of our environmental issues and concerns: equity of access to the data and information AND equity with the services, productions, publications, and other resources that are used to further define the environmental agenda. 

If we are going to engage the public in the environmental decision making process we must assure that all parties "sit at the table" with equitable access to the facts and are provided  the understanding needed to make policies that are sound.

Fred Stoss