That means we are ignoring information about potential environmental damage, and it means that our decision are just as likely to cause damage to the environment as to benefit it, even where environmental protection was the goal of the decision. Many millions of dollars have been spent to protect the environment, while simply causing the environmental damage to another environmental system. In a world where resources are limited, and where decisions not based on facts are likely to cause further environmental degradation, better access to facts is an urgent need. IERE was formed to address this need. Often, the individuals making the decisions are not aware of the relevant facts, or do not have the skills needed to make use of these facts.
Some individuals prefer to make decisions based on their values rather than facts.
While little can be done to change decision making approaches in individuals, significant efforts can be made to provide facts and skills to decision-makers. IERE was formed to do just that, through its four program areas .