our society chooses among alternative environmental futures through decisions expected to yield, upon implementation, the results sought. if our collective understanding of the link between decisions and outcomes is flawed, however, the expected results may not follow. common–sense understanding is often inadequate for identifying environmental problems and evaluating possible solutions. therefore, our future hinges, to a considerable extent, on society's understanding and sensible use of technical information and scientific analyses. how we make sense of—or frame—the information we use to evaluate probable consequences of environmental decisions is, therefore, critical.