Melting polar ice, flooding, droughts and rising sea levels - the key words in the debate about climate change have always revolved around nature; how we affect it and how it affects us. Yet while climate change itself is about nature, the challenge it poses to mankind is about human nature. It is about how we choose to act and respond; about the extent to which our political structures are equipped to deal with critical environmental changes; whether our energy and transport systems can make the transition towards a 'low carbon economy'; how readily green innovation can be pursued in businesses; and about whether we as individuals are willing and able to change our habits. These are all aspects where social science can provide knowledge about society, behaviour and actions.
Given the scale of the challenge, it is perhaps not surprising that our social, political and economic systems have so far been slow to respond to climate change. However, concerted international efforts are possible, as shown when the global financial markets collapsed last year. Many are hoping for similar decisive action at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.
Governance is one of the areas that we are researching at the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy. The interaction between governments, institutions, economics and markets is crucial when it comes to encouraging a rapid development of low carbon economies with all of the institutional, technological and behavioural changes that this entails.
Social science has found itself squarely in the middle of the climate change debate
While we need to counter the effects of climate change as much as possible, we will also need to prepare for rising temperatures. Effects from climate change will first and foremost hit developing countries with a reduced capacity to respond. Enabling them to adapt to a new climate means making communities more sustainable, addressing inequalities, and reducing poverty. These aspects put social science squarely in the middle of the climate change debate.
It is with this recognition that the ESRC has engaged actively in environment and climate change research through the funding of several research centres, programmes and initiatives. Research covers all levels from the individual to the international and global, ranging from coastal management and consumer behaviour to farming systems and transport infrastructure.
This Society Now supplement will showcase examples of ESRC-funded research relating to the Copenhagen conference and climate change, as well as feature an interview with Professor Andrew Watkinson, Director of the Living With Environmental Change programme. As he points out, the climate change issue is still 'below the radar' for many people. Nevertheless, negative messages will not generate the important steps needed to bring about an alteration in climate change measures. We need robust research, comprehensive research evidence, and a set of policymakers and individuals who can act on this evidence.
Over to Copenhagen!
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