Transcript Presented by Professor Dave Griggs Director, Monash

Presented by Professor Dave Griggs
Director, Monash Sustainability Institute
Bridging the Gap between
Climate Change Information
Providers, Stakeholders and
Policymakers
What is the role of climate science in delivering
services to policymakers, industry, the media and the
public
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Where we are now
The gap between the evidence and the perception
The difficulties of communicating climate science
Examples of some initiatives in Australia
Discussion of the role of science and the role of WCRP
and WMO in communicating the science message
“The billion-dollar hoax”
Andrew Bolt, Adelaide Advertiser (27 Jan 2010)
“Here are just the top 10 new signs that catastrophic manmade warming may be just another beat-up, like swine flu,
SARS and the Y2K bug.”
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Climategate
The Copenhagen farce
The Himalayan scare
Pachauri's response [“Deny and
abuse”]
Pachauri's conflicts [“Pachauri
and TERI do amazingly well from
his IPCC job”]
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The green hand revealed [“Activist”
WWF and IISD cited in AR4.]
7. More fake IPCC claims [The costs of
extreme weather events]
8. New research on our gases [casting
doubt on link b/w CO2 and warming]
9. New Australian research [e.g., Great
Barrier Reef in "bloody brilliant shape“]
10. The world still won't warm
6.
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Low point for climate change science at the
moment…
• Direct and frequent attacks on IPCC and scientists
• Rise in coverage of climate sceptics
• Failure to reach global emission-reduction agreement in
Copenhagen
• Inadequate reduction targets set by many countries
(Australia: 5% by 2020)
• Failure of the Australian Government to pass the
proposed ETS
• Measurable decline in the public trust of climate science
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Measurable decline in public trust of climate
science…
• Almost 10% reduction in
the number who think
climate change is taking
place in the UK over a
two-month period.
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This is despite the overwhelming evidence
supporting human-induced influence on
climate…
- “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal…”
- “Continued GHG emissions at or above current rates
would cause further warming and induce many changes
in the global climate system during the 21st century that
would very likely be larger than those observed during
the 20th century.”
- In order to limit warming to approx. 2°C, global
emissions must peak by 2015 and be reduced by 50%80% from 2000 levels by 2050.
(IPCC 2007)
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… and the very hard work climate scientists
have put into alerting the world to it.
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Why is there such a big gap between the need
for urgent action indicated by the science and
the current status of global action and public
opinion?
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Actually, climate science has achieved an
incredible feat in the last 20 years
• Most countries have recognised climate change and
agree to work to limit “dangerous” climate change
• “United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has
made addressing climate change a cornerstone of his
tenure…”
• Almost all developed countries have committed to
reducing emissions through the Kyoto Protocol
• 40,000 people attended Copenhagen meeting,
including the world’s top leaders
• And so on…
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Climate change has become a household word
everywhere in the world
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This despite the inherent difficulties in
conveying climate change:
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Evidence & science very complex
Uncertainty in understanding and projections
Little of the effect felt now (most to be felt in the future)
GHGs and their effect on climate invisible
Action requires re-thinking modern way of life (energy,
equity, development)
• Just one of many issues that decision makers at all
levels face
• Public doesn’t automatically trust science and scientists
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But with research into the climate system
suggesting increasingly alarming projections
of what the impacts of climate change might
be, it is more important than ever to overcome
these difficulties.
• How can the credibility of climate science and public
trust in it be restored?
• How can the gap between the scientific results and
public perceptions be closed?
• What services can climate science provide to
policymakers, the media and the public
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And in particular…
• What is the role – and responsibility – of climate
scientists and climate science bodies such as WCRP
and WMO in closing that gap?
• What does the climate science community need to do
differently from what it has done in the past?
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Climate science community role in advancing
action on climate change…
• Until now:
– Basic research
– “Policy-relevant” assessments of the science
– Some “popular” communication and advocacy
• What else?
– Take note of results of research on bridging the
science/decision-making interface, e.g.,
– Improve transparency of data, research & assessment
processes
– Form closer connections with relevant audiences; make
effort to understand and deliver to their needs
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Current efforts at ClimateWorks Australia
• Climate Scientists Australia
– Independent group of thirteen of Australia’s top climate
scientists
– Aims to build closer relationship with top policy and business
decision makers
– Briefed over 30 parliamentarians in October with plans to
return in March.
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Science meets the Boardroom
• A CEO Forum concluded that Boards do not have access to
reliable scientific information on climate change and are they
therefore not able to understand the implications as risks or
opportunities to their business
• As a result Australian businesses are often not taking climate
change into account in their decision making or are making the
wrong decisions because they are basing those decisions on
inaccurate information
• CWA arranges for world leading Australian climate scientists to
present to Boards of major Australian based businesses on the
latest science of climate change
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Sustainable Futures Forums
• Because of the intense public and media scrutiny it is often
difficult for real and open dialogue to take place in an objective
fashion.
• As a result genuine discussion on important issues is stifled and
decisions are delayed or are made without the necessary
analysis having taken place.
• Sustainable Futures Forums are a place where key thought
leaders and decision makers can come together to discuss
issues vital to creating a sustainable future.
• The Forums are a confidential non-partisan platform operating
under Chatham House Rules thus enabling open and nonattributable exchange of views between key decision makers
and influencers.
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Conclusions and questions
• Despite the overwhelming evidence there has been a
measurable decline in public trust in the science of climate
change
• Climate science needs to think of policymakers, the media and
the public as key stakeholders requiring climate services tailored
to their needs
• Research is required in how best to deliver the science message
in the most understandable way and with the most impact
• WCRP and WMO cannot leave the delivery of the science to
IPCC and need to develop a strategy for communicating climate
science and provide tools and information to those trying to do
this at a national level
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