Should tourism scientists accept climate change at face value?

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the philosophical issues dealing with climate change and tourism science. The paper neither endorses nor contradicts the theories of climate change, but rather questions to what extent tourism science and tourism professionals should accept any particular scientific theory as absolute fact. The paper's purpose is to instigate creative debate within the academic and industry world of tourism and to question some of the less precise notions of science when mixed with a particular point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a viewpoint article.

Findings

The study finds that there is often a confusion of terms that may occur due to the mixing of a political viewpoint with objective social science.

Originality/value

This study challenges some of the paradigm assumptions often given as fact within the academic community and seeks a reexamination of the paradigmatic principles and notions often held within the academic community.

Citation

Tarlow, P. (2012), "Should tourism scientists accept climate change at face value?", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 4 No. 4, pp. 378-382. https://doi.org/10.1108/17554211211255701