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Visioning Sustainability Research

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).

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Visioning Sustainability Research

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. GEC planning and coordination WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. http://www.icsu-visioning.org/ WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva 7

  8. 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

  9. Where were the registered users from? *The Darker the shade of green, the more registered users who originated from that country

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. Criteria for selection Scientific importance Global coordination Relevance to decision-makers Leverage WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. For more information, please visit http://www.icsu-visioning.org/ WMO EC meeting, 9 June, 2010, Geneva 16

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