•Research focusing on anticipating change and recognising the of ‘downstream engagement’ with the public – telling them about potential for surprises in Earth system. Such research could lead a new technology once it is developed, in the anticipation of ac- to the development of early warning systems relating to nonlinear ceptance – has failed catastrophically in several recent cases (e.g. changes in the Earth system and integrated risk analyses; and GMOs). Although the transition to sustainability is framed in benign terms, many aspects of it could generate public backlash. To suc- •The introduction of the discipline of complexity science into ceed, Horizon 2020 needs to engage the public and multiple stake- Earth system thinking. holders much earlier and more comprehensively in the development and deployment of new sustainability technologies. Ultimately, the 2nd level: citizens of Europe need to feel proud ownership of the transition. •Inter-comparisons of different models such as, for example, those describing the potential impacts of climate change. The draft Horizon 2020 document acknowledges in several places Such inter-comparisons would provide a more comprehensive that certain activities need to be carried out at EU level and be- picture of the potential impacts and improve our understand- yond. However, it is important that the fi nal document more strongly ing of the uncertainties and the risks associated with anthro- emphasise the global and international character of climate and pogenic climate change. In addition, such comparisons will resource challenges. Climate change is global in nature, requiring contribute to future model development; and worldwide attention and solutions. Many solutions, which work at the local scale, are already being applied in many countries •Capitalising on the diversity of European research (recycling, wind energy etc.), but need to be conducted in a global by linking various geographically separated modelling context. EU and other industrialised countries / regions with well- initiatives into integrated global assessments and new established research capacities must take responsibility for research European Earth system models. into the means of climate mitigation and adaptation, also for those parts of the world with less-developed research facilities. Top level: (where the potential for Europe to lead the world in the To tackle the global problem of climate change, there is a general transition to sustainable resource use is realised) need to carry out research and fi nd solutions in coordination with emerging economies, where funds for climate-related research •Integrated interdisciplinary approaches and are scarce, and where potentially large demands on resource transdisciplinary 1 research focusing on solutions; supply can be anticipated in the immediate future. Such worldwide and pilot schemes or experiments aiming at solu- collaboration is necessary to guarantee that a European solution, tions to the resource challenges facing society (e.g. which ensures our own continued access to natural resources, does focusing on sustainable cities and sectors). not hamper development elsewhere. At the same time, this offers an opportunity to learn about values and methods developed in those New research approaches are necessary in cultures that could be of help to societies in Europe. An obvious order for society to develop a responsible example is building styles adapted to hot, dry weather. The EU can relationship with the natural resources that also make a strong contribution to developing countries, such as sustain us. That research cannot be carried Africa, concerning adaptation, by providing access to knowledge out in isolation from stakeholders, including about climate change and its impacts. the public at large, and scientists should be encouraged to involve stakeholders from the In addition, many areas that play a central role in the functioning inception phase of the research. of the global climate system (Arctic, tropics, deep oceans, marine coastal upwelling regions etc.) are situated outside the political bor- The transition to sustainability demands a ders of the EU. Research into the impact of climate change on these plethora of new science and technologies. areas must be conducted regardless of specifi c location. Recent experience with new technologies, including genetically-modifi ed organisms Several of these key areas are located in our immediate geographi- (GMOs) and carbon capture and storage cal neighbourhood, many of which can be regarded as “pristine”. underground (CCS) indicates great po- Of these areas, especially the Arctic and subarctic terrestrial and tential for public disquiet and blocking of marine ecosystems are experiencing rapid climate changes as a their deployment. The traditional model consequence of environmental problems created elsewhere, not 1 Interdisciplinary research refers to studies that integrate different disciplinary perspectives (ideally including natural and social sciences), while transdisciplinary research focuses on simultaneously including non-scientifi c knowledge and user-needs into the study. For example, articulating the research questions together with major stakeholders in the problem constitutes a transdisciplinary or participatory research approach. 66
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