More than ever, it’s crucial that natural and social scientists work together to address the climate crisis and keep global temperature increases below 2°C, according to a study published in the scientific journal People and Nature.
The authors highlight the importance of integrating knowledge from natural and social sciences to create effective climate change policies. To this end, the concept of tipping points should be used as a bridge between these fields of study to make it easier to understand climate change processes and impacts. The group, led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB), includes researchers from Australia, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Portugal.
Natural scientists focus on documenting and analyzing changes in the natural environment, including rising global temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events. From this work, these scientists have started to wonder whether the changes we are witnessing are reversible and if there is a tipping point at which, no matter how much we stop greenhouse gas emissions, environmental changes will be inevitable. However, this work is incomplete without exploring social dynamics, such as individual, collective, and societal behaviours. To create a sustainable future, it is imperative that we understand the intricate interaction between environmental and social changes.
Our collective capacity to address the current climate crisis is enhanced through this collaboration between natural and social scientists. A multidisciplinary approach combining knowledge from both fields is key to developing comprehensive solutions and shaping sustainable policies for a better future.
Graham S, Wary M, Calcagni F et al (2023) An interdisciplinary framework for navigating social–climatic tipping points. People and Nature,https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10516