Image for Cautionary Principle

Cautionary Principle

The Cautionary Principle suggests that if an action or policy has the potential to cause significant harm to the public or the environment, and there is uncertainty about the risks, we should err on the side of caution. This means taking precautionary measures, even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established. In essence, it advocates for protecting health and safety by minimizing risks when there's doubt, rather than waiting for conclusive evidence of danger before taking action. This approach is often applied in areas like environmental policy and public health.