Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Ten principles for thinking about the future: a primer for environmental professionals

Formally Refereed
Authors: David N. Bengston
Year: 2017
Type: General Technical Report (GTR)
Station: Northern Research Station
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-175
Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-175. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 28 p.

Abstract

Every decision we make is about the future, but most of us are never taught how to think critically about it. This guide addresses this issue by identifying and reviewing 10 principles for thinking about the future, along with related strategies for improving environmental foresight. The principles and strategies are drawn from the transdisciplinary field of futures studies. Taken together, these principles and strategies can help guide environmental planners, managers, and policy makers toward well-considered expectations for the future.

Keywords

foresight, futures, strategies, futures research, futures studies

Citation

Bengston, David N. 2017. Ten principles for thinking about the future: a primer for environmental professionals. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-175. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 28 p. https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-175.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/55548