Rerehua Beach

What kind of data is needed
for a flourishing future?
As we think about risky and contested futures the nature of
evidence, and the data that constitutes evidence becomes
important.
But what is data and evidence?
Evidence is information presented in a way that is seen as
credible to base decisions on. If decisions are made based on
evidence, then what we consider evidence is important because
its shapes the decision. A single assessment (or view)
of what is credible evidence could dominate, locking out other
ways of knowing. This is extremely relevant when there are
multiple versions of what is credible depending on worldview.
This cartoon exposes a future where one view on “what is evidence”
determines the outcome of environmental decisions
and actions: it asks if this is the future we want? And if not,
what might we do?

A note from the artist:
This comic features reproductions of original artwork by Pip
Hartley, Hermann and Tana Salzmann. I would like to acknowledge
these artists as creators of the ta moko on page one
and the waharoa on page two, respectively. Images for the
waharoa were sourced through the Museum of New Zealand
Te Papa YouTube channel, the ta moko designs were comissioned
specifically for this comic. I would also like to aknowledge
the artists who inspired some of the futuristic designs
in the comic, including Syd Mead, Jean Giraud and Dániel
Taylor.
Questions to consider:
1) What do you think the impact is of using (mostly) quantifiable
evidence-based information on the decisions you or
others make?
2) Have you thought about how Hapū and Iwi are involved in
environmental decisions?
3) What do you think is missing from decisions where risk is
portrayed as knowable and measurable?
4) How could Ecosystem Based Management (EBM), TAM
framing, and a wider conception of data take us to a different
future?
5) What steps can be taken right now?