Decision-Making in a Global Crisis – Dr Patrick Waeber and Dr Claude Garcia, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Original Article Reference
This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Choices We Make in Times of Crisis’, from Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063578
Share Episode
About this episode
Despite overwhelming evidence calling for urgent action, climate change continues unabated. Understanding why society’s leaders are failing to adequately respond to the climate emergency is vital if we are to achieve positive changes going forward. However, getting inside the minds of decision-makers is notoriously difficult. Dr Patrick Waeber and Dr Claude Garcia from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, together with colleagues from Canada, the US, Brazil, and Madagascar, have developed advanced theoretical models to help us untangle the complexities of climate change responses. Their framework could help foster the constructive dialogue needed for transformative change.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
What does this mean?
Share: You can copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Adapt: You can change, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Credit: You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
More episodes
Dr. Ellen Hoffmann | Rurbanity: How rural and urban phenomena intermingle worldwide
Over the next few decades, the Earth’s urban population is set to explode, with the large majority of growth happening in cities across the Global South. A team of researchers at the Universities of Kassel and Göttingen, led by Prof. Andreas Bürkert and Prof. Nikolaus Schareika, predicts that these changes will be widely characterized by a merging of rural and urban features: a concept defined as ‘rurbanity’ in a recent landmark publication authored by Dr. Ellen Hoffmann and colleagues. By studying this phenomenon closely, the team aims to support cities in the Global South in their efforts to better prepare for the challenges to come. The concept is comprehensive enough to allow researchers to also understand ongoing processes of change in more mature cities of the North, such as climate-smart and socially inclusive adaptations, through the lens of rurbanity.
Prof. Mark Kimsey | The Earth’s Blueprint: How Soil Origins Guide Forest Management
Forests are more than just a collection of trees; they are dynamic ecosystems that depend on a variety of factors to thrive. One of the most crucial yet often overlooked components of these ecosystems is the soil. Far from being just a passive foundation, soil is an active, living system that plays a vital role in determining the health and productivity of forests. A recent study by emeritus Professor James Moore of the University of Idaho and his colleagues offers a deep dive into how the geological origins of soil influence its chemical properties, shedding light on the intricate relationships between soil, vegetation, and forest management in the Inland Northwest region of the United States.
Professor Paul Treitz | Mapping Environmental Change: Remote Sensing at the Frontlines of the Canadian Arctic
The Arctic is warming at a rate of three to four times faster than the global average; a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. This is, in large part, a result of warming atmospheric temperatures causing a decline in snow and ice cover at high latitudes. This, in turn, increases the amount of solar energy absorbed by marine and terrestrial surfaces. As a result, near surface temperatures continue to increase, resulting in a further reduction of snow and ice. This represents a positive feedback where increased temperatures are coupled with a decline in snow and ice cover.
Dr Camille Mellin | Coral Reefs: A Lifeline for Global Nutrition Under Threat
Coral reefs are often admired for their breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity, but their significance goes far beyond what meets the eye. These vibrant underwater ecosystems are a vital source of food and nutrition for over 500 million people worldwide, particularly in tropical coastal regions where they serve as the backbone of local fisheries. However, coral reefs are under severe threat from the combined forces of climate change and overfishing, posing significant risks to global food security. In a recent Perspective article, Dr Camille Mellin of the University of Adelaide and her colleagues explored how these changes are impacting the nutritional value of fish that live on coral reefs, revealing important insights into the future of food and nutrition security.
Increase the impact of your research
• Good science communication helps people make informed decisions and motivates them to take appropriate and affirmative action.
• Good science communication encourages everyday people to be scientifically literate so that they can analyse the integrity and legitimacy of information.
• Good science communication encourages people into STEM-related fields of study and employment.
• Good public science communication fosters a community around research that includes both members of the public, policymakers and scientists.
• In a recent survey, 75% of people suggested they would prefer to listen to an interesting story than read it.
Step 1 Upload your science paper
Step 2 SciPod script written
Step 3 Voice audio recorded
Step 4 SciPod published