Averting Planetary Peril: Convening Scientists and Policymakers to Tackle Systemic Climate Risks

Every year on 10 November, we celebrate World Science Day for Peace and Development to underline the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives, and to highlight the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. The International Science Council, Chatham House and Climate Central are organizing a COP26 side event titled Averting Planetary Peril: Convening Scientists and Policymakers to Tackle Systemic Climate Risks on 10 November. 

Climate change, extreme weather, environmental degradation and socio-economic vulnerabilities present a frightening picture of planetary risks. We share new insights, tools and imagery on risks, from systemic to specific, and explore engagement between scientists and policymakers to tackle them.

Drawing on a series of ground-breaking projects around planetary risks, this UNFCCC side event explores how scientists, researchers and others are working to communicate climate risks to decision-makers and policymakers at the highest levels. Wider audience discussion and Q&A will then provide opportunities to discuss engagement between scientists and policymakers, and consider how these vital links can be strengthened to enable evidence-based policymaking in the face of increasingly urgent planetary peril.

Speakers will discuss:

• Bridging disaster risk and climate risks worlds.
• Downscaling global climate information to regional level implications.
• Picturing our future – the visualisation of climate risk, and public profile.
• Defining systemic risks.
• Examples of constructive engagement between scientists and policymakers.

Speakers

• Chair: Dr. Daniel Quiggin, Senior Research Fellow with the Environment and Society Programme at Chatham House
• Professor Tim Benton, Research Director, Emerging Risks; Director, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House 
• Professor Regina R Rodrigues, Professor of Physical Oceanography, Federal University of Santa Catarina 
• Dr. Benjamin Strauss, CEO and Chief Scientist, Climate Central
• Professor Jana Sillmann, Research Director, Centre for International Climate Research
• Loretta Hieber Girardet, Chief Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Capacity Development at United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

Further speakers to be announced. 

This event is co-organized by the ISC, Chatham House and Climate Central. Key contacts:

Chatham House
Ms. Ludivine Rebet
eer@chathamhouse.org

Climate Central, Inc.
Ms. Karen Florini
kflorini@climatecentral.org

International Science Council (ISC)
Mme Anne-Sophie Stevance
anne-sophie.stevance@council.science