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This document recaps the WMO EC meeting held on June 9, 2010, in Geneva, chaired by Johan Rockström. The meeting aimed to outline options for a holistic strategy on sustainability research, engaging a diverse group of experts and stakeholders. It emphasized the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges, addressing scientifically important questions for Earth system research over the next decade, and facilitating a dialog among early career and senior scientists. The outcomes will guide future sustainability research priorities.
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Visioning Sustainability Research Dr. Carthage Smith Deputy Director of ICSU With thanks to the task team: Anne Whyte, Elinor Ostrom, Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, Heide Hackmann, Johan Rockstrom (Chair), Kari Raivio, and Walt Reid (past Chair) WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
Global Environmental Change Programmes WCRP (established in 1980) climate research IGBP (1987-) geosphere biosphere processes DIVERSITAS (1991-) biodiversity science IHDP (1996-) human dimensions {ESSP (2001-) Earth System Science} WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
GEC planning and coordination WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
Decision of the 29th GA of ICSU (Maputo, October 2008) In the light of the reviews of the GEC programmes: “…….to organize a consultation, including a high-level meeting, with relevant partners to outline options for an overall framework for global environmental change research and its policy relevance………...” WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
Three Step Process Goal: to explore options for a holistic strategy on sustainability research. This strategy will both encourage scientific innovation and address policy needs. WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
Online consultation • Users responded to: “What is the most important research question in Earth system research for the next decade? Why?” • This moderated site was active 15 July – 1 September • ScienceEditorial, SciDev.net feature, press release that was widely publicized • First time such a online consultation on international Earth system research questions was performed • URL: http://visioning.icsu.org WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
http://www.icsu-visioning.org/ WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva 7
Overview • 7,227 “unique” visitors from 133 countries (unique = different IP addresses) • 1,016 registered users from 85 countries • 323 research questions posted WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
Where were the registered users from? *The Darker the shade of green, the more registered users who originated from that country
Common threads • Broader base of expertise: • interdisciplinarity → transdisciplinarity • broader expertise in the social sciences (beyond geography and economics-> sociology/ psychology, ethics) • need for expertise in engineering/technology • need for communication experts • Enthusiasm of the community WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
Meeting to distill the research questions Early career scientist meeting [29 Sept] Visioning Earth system research meeting [30 Sept – 1 Oct, 2009] Early career scientists & senior scientists Science-policy experts Funders ICSU and ISSC Discussion focused on the research priorities Outcome: “Grand Challenges in Global Sustainability Research: A Systems Approach to Research Priorities for the Decade” WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva 11
Criteria for selection Scientific importance Global coordination Relevance to decision-makers Leverage WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
Draft Grand Challenges Forecasting: Improve the usefulness of forecasts of future environmental conditions and their consequences for people. Observations: Develop the observation systemsneeded to manage global and regional environmental change. Thresholds: Determine how to anticipate, avoid and cope with dangerous global environmental change. Responses: Determine what institutional and behavioural changes can best ensure global sustainability. Innovation: Encourage innovation in developing technological, policy and social responses... WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva
2nd Web consultation • 192 substantive responses • 81 % from “individuals” • 19 % from “organizations” (NB: the GEC community was consulted before the public consultation) • Common messages/edits: • Emphasize the step change (↑) needed in resources • Enhancing the integration of the social sciences: Earth system →Sustainability research • Need to stress the integrated system approach to 5 Challenges… WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva 14
Institutional Frameworks for Global Sustainability Research Meeting Goal: to draft a proposal outlining the Institutional Framework for the Grand Challenges in Global Sustainability Research. Invitees: Co-Sponsors [ICSU, ISSC, IOC, IUBS, SCOPE, UNESCO, UNU, WMO + UNEP], Funders, GEC representatives, institutional experts, … Dates: 22 June, Open Forum 23-24 June, Visioning Meeting step 2 WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva 15
For more information, please visit http://www.icsu-visioning.org/ WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva 16