In their first-ever collaboration, the IPCC and the IPBES co-sponsored a workshop, bringing 50 climate and biodiversity experts together to study relationships and identify solutions for solving these crises. The result of this meeting was a peer-reviewed workshop report that went live this week! In this blog post, we will discuss some of the workshop’s findings at the intersection of climate, biodiversity, and human society.

Climate-biodiversity-human linkages

How do these factors interplay? Underlying anthropogenic drivers, such as economic production and consumption, give rise to direct impacts like land use change, pollution, and overexploitation of natural systems – all of which contribute to climate change and biodiversity loss. These declines, in turn, can reinforce each other. For instance, climate change effects such as temperature increases, precipitation shifts, or extreme events can cause extinctions and erode ecosystem resilience. Associated biodiversity loss then influences the climate system via changes in nutrient cycling, for example. All of this also gives rise to impacts on human livelihoods and well-being, with consequences to across sectors like public health and food production and security.

Minimal tradeoffs, maximal benefits

Some interventions come with tradeoffs. For instance, a common idea is that the planting of forests stores carbon, thus lowering atmospheric C concentrations and limiting climate change. However, the solution is not quite so simple. Large swaths of monoculture forests can increase the risk of pests and diseases as well as limit productivity and take up space for habitat, damaging biodiversity and ecosystem services. At the same time, solutions exist that can benefit both climate and biodiversity by restoring and protecting carbon- and species-rich ecosystems.

There are ways that we can combine measures in order to both limit tradeoffs and gain benefits. A good example is the use of solar farms to generate clean energy, which is necessary for climate objectives. At the same time, these solar farms use large amounts of land, potentially contributing to the clearing of important habitat. However, by implementing grazing and cropping around panels, we can benefit soil carbon stocks and pollinators, while also providing food (and still gaining clean energy). The integration of climate and biodiversity allow us to support solutions that complement each other by balancing tradeoffs and promoting co-benefits.

Transformative change

It is clear that we need to explicitly consider connections between climate, biodiversity, and people in governance and policy decisions in order to develop the most efficient solutions. However, the report notes that this integration will require transformative change in governance systems and in policies, to support higher levels of intersectoral cooperation and inclusive decision-making as well as to create effective incentives. Ultimately, this coincides with a need for an overall shift in society’s collective values. This can involve, for instance, changing from a focus on “development” defined by ever-increasing economic growth to a focus on just, equitable, and resilient development within planetary boundaries.

For more detailed information on the climate-biodiversity nexus and how this interacts with human well-being, take a look at the full scientific outcome from the workshop!

References:

[1] Pörtner, HO et al. 2021. IPBES-IPCC co-sponsored workshop report on biodiversity and climate change; IPBES and IPCC. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.4782538. Access here, full outcome here.

[2] Images generated by IPCC and IPBES. Access here.

The post Climate and Biodiversity Crises: Two Parts of One Problem appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

Why do we need to talk about the climate?

Covid-19 has shown that we are able to quickly react when our lives are in danger: We highly value human life. With Covid-19, we can see the immediate global impact. Our current actions have an impact on the Earth’s climate system and our future lives. In some regions of Earth, the consequences are drastic while in others the impacts of climate change are not yet apparent. Although already in a climate crisis, it is hard to imagine what future life will be like if we continue as we do. An ambitious climate policy requires a deeply engaged public that supports initiatives that will have an impact on their own behaviour and their lifestyle. Otherwise, if this social mandate is not given and the current governments implement ambitious climate policies, public unrest could be a result and the next government could easily take measures back. So, the public needs to get more engaged but the question is how we can achieve this?

For decades, there has been scientific consensus and we need climate science to assess the state of the Earth’s climate system and other sciences to assess its impact on us. But we do not need more knowledge to “convince” the public to act. We need to reach everyone and get the support by all sectors and all classes. Not everyone is reached through dry facts and scientific language. One way to reach the people you meet every day is by talking about climate change. Here, it is relevant to make sure you know how to successfully talk about this difficult topic. What I mean by “conversations about the climate” is bringing this topic to a more personal level. With the current crisis on top, we need more action, people need to be reminded that climate change needs at least the same attention and political will as Covid-19.

Role of stories and narratives

When communicating about climate change with friends, family or strangers, stories play a pivotal role. By asking more general, open questions like, “What is your experience with climate change?” your conversation partner gets the chance to use their own narrative. This way, you can begin to understand how your dialogue partner perceives climate change and gives you hints on how you can then reply to them.

Psychology

Today, finding solutions often requires interdisciplinary approaches. When we talk about climate change, there is no difference. These communication practices do not just build upon communication research, but research in social sciences and psychology. To be a better communicator, it is necessary to understand some findings of psychosocial research. First and foremost, when someone says something wrong, we sometimes tend to correct them; we want to right a wrong. However, by doing so, we may create a conflict, causing the other person to react defensively. It is not a good way to have a conversation.

Climate change is still a contested topic. Is it because of the way people raise the issue or because it is so difficult to grasp? What do you think is the issue?

Let’s start. Have you talked to a friend, relative, colleague or stranger about climate change before? Do they know your opinion? You can raise the issue by sharing your thoughts and your personal story—why you are personally engaged in climate action or effected by climate change. Are you trying to convince local politicians to implement more ambitious climate change policies because you are afraid of your children’s future? Or, do you want to decarbonize your consumption patterns to become a role model and protect the beauty of nature left to us by our forefathers? Many people have an individual story, but these remain unshared unless you speak out.

Discussing climate change can have surprising effects. You might be surprised that your neighbor is aware of the issue but does not know where to start a personal transformation process such as reducing their carbon footprint. You could team up to support each other. On the other hand, you might provoke a completely different result. Your grandfather or sister is close to you, but it turns out they do not want to change anything. What do you do? Instead of pointing fingers and blaming them, you could first listen. What do they have to say? Let them speak and maybe you can still find some common ground. Even if you do not understand or support their opinion, it is important to remain respectful, and listen; do not try to correct them.

More practical tips to start with. If you are interested in leading conversations about climate change, here are some tips for how to spark a friendly conversation. To avoid ambushing anyone, you can simply ask if your friend is willing to talk about climate change. If the answer is positive, consider starting with an open question that makes clear you are interested in your friend’s story. You want to understand your friend, so just listen and make sure not to interrupt. You will probably learn something new about your friend by just listening.

Climate Outreach, is a British non-profit organization researching better ways of communicating climate change. They have released a handbook on how to talk about climate change. The guide is a result of a citizen science project called #TalkingClimate. For one month, seven-hundred participants from all over the world, including myself, led climate change conversations and filled out a survey about their experiences. Have a look for more guidance and become an activist. Let’s start talking about climate change.

Sources, further reading and videos:

Books:

Adam Corner, Jamie Clarke: Talking Climate: From Research to Practice in Public Engagement

George Marshall: Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change

Talks:

Ted Talk by George Marshall: I have learnt the most about climate change from those who deny it.

Ted Talk by Renée Lertzman: How to turn climate anxiety into action.

The post Do you want to talk about the climate? appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

Tonight – Monday, 7^th May, there is a pub quiz at 7pm in Glashaus. Go and check your knowledge!

Tomorrow – Tuesday 8^th May

You can take part in four different activities: At 11pm you can join the “Cutting Party”, where veggies, fruits and other groceries that would otherwise be thrown away, are cut and thrown into a pot to prepare a tasty lunch. (Food)Sharing is caring!

From 1.15-16pm, there is a workshop in the botanical garden dealing with the topic of perma culture.

In the kitchen of the Fab Lab you can learn how to prepare different kinds of spreads from 6-8pm –  make your breads more tasty and diverse in the next time!

At 7.30pm, there will be shown the movie “10 billion” in H17. It deals with the problems of a growing population that needs to be fed.

Wednesday – 9^th May

From 12.15 – 1.15pm, you can take part in a guided tour through the botanical garden. You will have the chance to learn about how tree species and forests react to climate change.

Also in the botanical garden, there is a workshop about alternatives to plastic from 3-5pm. Come and learn!

Thursday, 10^th May

From 11am – 2pm, a workshop in Transitionhaus will teach you how to prepare your own cosmetics.

Friday – 11^th May

Starting at 11am, you will have the chance to take part in different workshops such as worm compost, upcycling and building insect hotels. These workshops will end at around 2pm.

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