Climate in Context

Developed from work undertaken on the NOAA funded RISA (Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments)  programme, this book provides a conceptual framework for the use of climate science in decision-making, one that honours a variety of research techniques while also providing evaluation of these different methods based on the context in which they were applied. Chapters from various regions of the United States describe essential elements of integrating climate science with other disciplines, managing the science-policy interface, and translating science to different audiences, including, primarily, decision makers. Taken as a whole, the chapters define an initial pathway to help adapt science to better meet the needs and challenges of society, by providing guidance for future generations of scientists and by helping bridge the research community and the service communities found within the federal government. 

The book provides concrete guidance for organizations and individuals who want to develop research projects, initiatives, interdisciplinary research teams, and programs at the science-society interface. It will be an invaluable source for a wide range researchers and professionals who need a state-of-the-art synthesis of practices to foster the co-production of climate science knowledge, policy, and action. Moreover, it provides a well articulated framework and examples useful to the development of cutting-edge training programs and courses on the art and practice of science-society engagement, partnership, and research collaboration.

 

This book offers the reader a clearly structured conceptual framework for designing interdisciplinary use-inspired science, illustrative examples from multiple sectors and places including environmental justice communities, and best practices for adapting science to meet societal challenges in the 21^st century. The authors move beyond case studies to provide peer-reviewed, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of these research projects. The last, and easily one of the most important, distinguishing characteristics is that this book is written in a manner accessible and usable to both academic communities and decision makers.