Bridging the gap between climate scientists and decision makers

Abstract

Despite the increasing scientific evidence that human-induced climate change poses a major risk to human and natural systems, there appears to be a decline in the momentum for action to reduce this risk, and more alarmingly a decline in the trust the public holds in the scientific evidence itself. In this paper we explore the role and responsibilities of the climate science community in overcoming this gap in perceptions, and also describe some initiatives underway in Australia that help the climate science community to proactively engage with policymakers and business leaders.