Environmental Science
How Epistemic Communities Shape International Environmental Treaty Compliance
Quick fact
When protocols were tightened to reduce ozone-depleting substances, the expert assessments from the Montreal Protocol's scientific panels were so trusted that even skeptical countries accepted the need for stronger controls, showing how expert consensus can drive compliance.
Why this is interesting
Tackling climate change and protecting the ozone layer depend on treaties—but why do some countries actually follow the rules while others ignore them? The secret may lie in a network of scientists you've never heard of.