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An understanding of the personal frameworks we use to absorb and contextualize climate change information might help us to have more fruitful exchanges about climate policy.
Future Earth is a new international research initiative that aims to better prepare society for global environmental change and improve global sustainability. Nature Climate Change spoke to James Syvitski, Chair of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, one of the member organizations.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports provide the most reliable and robust assessment of understanding of the climate system. However, they do not include practitioner-based evidence, which is fundamental to make the reports a relevant source of information for decision-making.
The Green Climate Fund needs more contributions if it is to become the world's main source of climate finance. Anna Petherick considers an upcoming effort to make that happen.
For the first time since the failed 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, momentum is building towards a new climate agreement. But expectations must be kept in check, and making expert advice more useful to the process will require engaging the social sciences more fully.
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage could be used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, its credibility as a climate change mitigation option is unproven and its widespread deployment in climate stabilization scenarios might become a dangerous distraction.
