Presented by Professor Dave Griggs Director, Monash Sustainability Institute

Presented by Professor Dave GriggsDirector, 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

• 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

Monash Sustainability Institute 3

“The billion-dollar hoax” Andrew Bolt, Adelaide Advertiser (27 Jan 2010)“Here are just the top 10 new signs that catastrophic man-made warming may be just another beat-up, like swine flu, SARS and the Y2K bug.”

1. Climategate2. The Copenhagen farce3. The Himalayan scare4. Pachauri's response [“Deny and

abuse”]5. Pachauri's conflicts [“Pachauri

and TERI do amazingly well from his IPCC job”]

6. 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


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


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.


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)


… and the very hard work climate scientists have put into alerting the world to it.


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?


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…


Climate change has become a household word everywhere in the world


This despite the inherent difficulties in conveying climate change:

• 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


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


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?


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


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.


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


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 non-attributable exchange of views between key decision makers and influencers.


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

Presented by Professor Dave Griggs Director, Monash Sustainability Institute

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