Registered Environmental Manager (REM) Practice Exam

What does the precautionary principle prioritize?

1. Actions that maximize profits

2. Unrestricted human activities

3. Preventing substantial risk when the outcomes are uncertain

4. Taking no action

The correct answer is: Preventing substantial risk when the outcomes are uncertain

The precautionary principle prioritizes preventing substantial risk when the outcomes are uncertain. This principle advocates for taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty about potential environmental harm or health risks, rather than waiting for complete scientific certainty before acting. It is fundamentally about being proactive rather than reactive, especially in situations where there may be an absence of conclusive evidence. In practice, this means that if an action or policy has the potential to cause harm to the public or the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus, the burden of proof falls on those advocating for the action rather than those opposing it. This principle is particularly important in environmental management and public health, guiding decision-making processes to err on the side of caution to protect human health and the environment from potentially irreversible damage.