Hell and high water: Practice-relevant adaptation science
Moss, R. H., Meehl, G. A., Lemos, M. C., Smith, J. B., Arnold, J. R., Arnott, J. C., … Wilbanks, T. J. (2013). Hell and high water: Practice-relevant adaptation science. Science, 342, 696-698. doi:10.1126/science.1239569
Informing the extensive preparations needed to manage climate risks, avoid damages, and realize emerging opportunities is a grand challenge for climate change science. U.S. President Obama underscored the need for this research when he made climate preparedness a pillar of his climate policy. Ada... Show moreInforming the extensive preparations needed to manage climate risks, avoid damages, and realize emerging opportunities is a grand challenge for climate change science. U.S. President Obama underscored the need for this research when he made climate preparedness a pillar of his climate policy. Adaptation improves preparedness and is one of two broad and increasingly important strategies (along with mitigation) for climate risk management. Adaptation is required in virtually all sectors of the economy and regions of the globe, for both built and natural systems. However, without the appropriate science delivered in a decision-relevant context, it will become increasingly difficult—if not impossible—to prepare adequately. We suggest a number of measures to hasten the development of science to correct maladaptations to current climate variability and support society's increasing need to adapt to a changing climate, drawing on lessons from experience, insights from related endeavors such as sustainability science, and input from scientific and stakeholder communities. Show less