Climate Change Research

Some questions can’t be googled. They answered them anyway. Earth doesn’t need rescuing. It needs better leadership. Meet the women rewriting the rules— with data, design, and zero drama. This is what impact looks like. 📌 Francisca Okeke She mapped Earth’s magnetic field over Africa. Her work sharpens satellites and weather models. She broke barriers as Nigeria’s first physics prof. 📌 Kim Cobb She dives coral reefs to decode past climates. Her research proves how fast the planet is warming. A climate detective with a scuba tank and data set. 📌 Hasnaa Chennaoui-Aoudjehane She finds meteorites in the Moroccan desert. Her work tracks solar system origins and impacts. Planetary science, grounded in North Africa. 📌 Jillian Banfield She studies microbes hidden deep in the Earth. Her work unlocks new tools for clean water. Revealing the invisible systems we rely on. 📌 Marcia McNutt She led the US response to quakes and oil spills. Now she shapes national science and policy. From geology to presidency of the NAS. 📌 Kathryn D. Sullivan First US woman to walk in space—and dive deep. She led NOAA, linking space and ocean science. A whole-planet thinker, in every sense. 📌 Dawn Wright She maps the ocean floor with advanced tech. Her work helps protect fragile underwater worlds. A digital cartographer of Earth’s last frontier. 📌 Karletta Chief She bridges Native knowledge and water science. Her work protects tribal lands from climate risk. Where tradition and data meet, she leads. 📌 Penny Chisholm She discovered Prochlorococcus, a vital microbe. It drives the ocean’s oxygen and carbon cycles. Tiny cell, massive planetary impact. 📌 Sandra Díaz She studies how plant diversity sustains life. Her science informs biodiversity protection policy. A botanist decoding ecosystems at scale. 📌 Adriana Hoffmann She fought to save Chile’s endangered plants. Her activism shaped environmental policy. A botanist turned national conservation icon. 📌 Nalini Nadkarni She studies forest canopies from the treetops. And brings science to prisons, runways, and art. Where ecology meets public imagination. 108 stories shared. 516 more to go. Impact isn’t always loud. But it compounds. Every single Monday. Who’s building the future you depend on?

❓❓❓WHICH CLIMATE POLICIES WORK   💡New insights on this crucial question in our new paper 'Climate policies that achieved major emission reductions: Global evidence from two decades', published last week in Science.   This is probably the most important study that I have contributed to. Screening more than 1500 climate policies implemented between 1998 and 2022 across 41 countries from 6 continents, we identify those policy combinations that were successful in achieving substantial emission reductions (see picture below). This offers crucial guidance for countries to design climate policies and fight climate change.   Key messages: ✅Mixes>standalone: Climate policies tend to work best if they're part of a policy mix rather than implemented alone. ✅There is no one-size fits all approach: Successful policy mixes vary across sectors and between developed and developing countries.   This study was possible thanks to our #OECD Climate Actions and Policies Measurement Framework (CAPMF). This is exactly the kind of empirical research, for which we have developed the CAPMF. I'm very hopeful that this study will pave the way for further research that supports countries to develop best practices.   Links Study: https://lnkd.in/emNSyUmw Climate policy explorer: https://lnkd.in/e4YyxwKa CAPMF dataset: https://oe.cd/dx/capmf   Many thanks to my co-authors Annika Stechemesser, Nicolas Koch, Ebba Mark, Elina Dilger, Patrick N. Klösel, Laura Menicacci, Felix Pretis, Nolan Ritter, Moritz Schwarz, Helena Vossen & Anna Wenzel from PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) gGmbH and others.   #climateaction #climatepolicy #policy

✨ 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐒𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫, 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲, 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤. This report captures the powerful discussions from the WiSER Annual Forum 2025, highlighting 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲. It also lays out key strategic actions to address gender gaps in finance, scalability, AI integration, mentorship, and accessibility—particularly for women in the Global South. We must move from insight to action by: ✅ Boosting gender-focused investment for female-led climate ventures. ✅ Scaling women-led solutions through better policies, infrastructure, and partnerships. ✅ Leveraging AI and digital tools to drive business growth and market expansion. ✅ Strengthening mentorship and networking to unlock new opportunities. ✅ Empowering women in the Global South by tackling legal and financial barriers. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐒𝐄𝐑 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐫. 𝐍𝐨𝐰, 𝐥𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭! 📖 Read the full white paper on https://lnkd.in/dKZyjyFi Nawal Al-Hosany Gonzalo Muñoz Abogabir CMG Haifa Al Kaylani OBE, Sonia Ben Jaafar Alexandra Taleva Khawla Salem Al Saedi Anna D. Shamma Al Hammadi Ghita Lebiad Hager Abunahwa Yasmin Bellizzi Nadia Boumeziout Fatima Bello Hanan Bakr, CFA-ESG Charlene Nawar Eithne Treanor, Media Trainer and Communications Expert Lean In Network | Equity & Sustainability Sustainability Switch Consultancy Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) #WomenInSustainability #EnergyTransition #GenderLensInvestment #WomenEntrepreneurs #ClimateInnovation #SustainableEconomy #WiSER #ADSW2025 #ESG #Leadership

Rethinking #ClimatePolicy: The Power of Tailored Approaches 🌍🏭🧩 Climate policy effectiveness isn't a simple yes or no question. The real challenge lies in understanding which policies work under specific conditions. 🔍 A recent study in Science offers crucial insights into this complex issue, analysing approximately 1,500 climate policies across 41 countries from 1998 to 2022. The research, led by Annika Stechemesser and colleagues, identified 63 successful policy interventions that significantly reduced emissions. Their findings reveal that tailored policy mixes often outperform single-instrument approaches. In the transport sector of developed economies, combining pricing with subsidies was highly effective, while in developing economies, regulation was most powerful, both alone and in combination with other policies. 🚗💨 In the electricity sector of developed economies, pricing was key in 50% of effective interventions, while in developing economies, standalone subsidies were most effective. These findings underscore the importance of context-specific policy design in driving meaningful emission reductions. 🏙️🏭 The study's nuanced approach provides a solid foundation for more effective climate action. However, I believe its implications extend beyond environmental outcomes to the realm of political feasibility. 🏛️🤝 In my view, these tailored policy mixes may offer a promising path through the political gridlock that often impedes climate action. By incorporating diverse policy instruments - from market-based mechanisms to regulations and incentives - these mixes provide multiple points for negotiation between differing ideological positions. 🔧🎯 Consider how this approach might bridge the gap between left and right. Conservatives might favour pricing mechanisms for their market-based approach, while progressives could support strong regulatory measures. A well-designed mix that includes both could potentially satisfy both camps, leading to a more politically viable solution. 🌈🤝 Furthermore, the sector-specific nature of effective policy mixes aligns well with the diverse interests represented in most political systems. Policies tailored to the buildings sector might appeal to urban representatives, while measures targeting industry could gain support from legislators in manufacturing-heavy districts. This granularity allows for more precise addressing of constituent concerns, potentially reducing overall opposition and fostering compromise. 🏙️🏭🤔 In a world grappling with polarization, could this approach offer a pragmatic way forward on climate action? By providing a framework for compromise without sacrificing effectiveness, tailored policy mixes might be key to unlocking sustained, impactful climate policy. 🔑🌱 What's your perspective on this? How might we leverage these insights to overcome political barriers to climate action? Link to study: https://lnkd.in/ehH8tHxf

In our latest article in Nature Climate Change, we argue that we have reached the limits of voluntary climate action and need to move towards rigorous, cohesive, and fair ground rules to overcome the obstructionism that holds back a just climate transition. From its origins in climate science, ‘net zero’ has moved quickly to become a global goal and a target that individual countries, local governments, companies, and other actors have committed to achieve. Weighted by annual revenue, net-zero targets now cover nearly 80% of the largest 2,000 publicly traded companies globally. However, the robustness of these targets varies substantially, with major emitters frequently backtracking when the economic mood music changes. Despite their shortcomings, voluntary commitments can, under the right conditions, pave the way for mandatory rules. Indeed, in the climate realm, we are already starting to see the beginnings of such a ‘conveyor belt’. Such mandatory rules are less easily reversible, level the playing field, and benefit from stronger enforcement mechanisms. We are just at the start of that unprecedented regulatory challenge, however. Ultimately, net zero will need to be woven through the rules that structure the economy. Policymakers, regulators, and companies will need to turn the groundswell of voluntary action into rigorous, cohesive, and fair ground rules for the economy. The full article is freely available here: https://rdcu.be/dD5T3 This research is joint work with co-lead author Thomas Hale and an Oxford-based multidisciplinary team of experts: Selam Kidane Abebe, Ph.D., Myles Allen, Amir Amel-Zadeh, John Armour, Kaya Axelsson, Ben Caldecott, Lucilla Dias, Sam Fankhauser, Benjamin Franta, Cameron Hepburn, Kennedy Mbeva, Lavanya Rajamani, Steve Smith & Rupert Stuart-Smith – united in a new initiative called the Oxford Net Zero Regulation and Policy Hub. It is a collaborative effort between the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme (itself a joint initiative of the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford at the University of Oxford) and the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, with support of Oxford Martin School Oxford Net Zero. 

12 key points emerging from the #FeministFellowshipProgramme (FFP) session on climate justice and feminism:  - Climate justice and feminism are interconnected, focusing on addressing systemic inequalities. - Women in marginalised communities disproportionately suffer from climate change impacts due to existing inequalities and gender roles. - A feminist lens on climate change highlights the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental justice. - Climate change deepens existing gender inequalities, impacting women's access to resources, livelihoods, and health. - Women, typically primary caregivers and resource managers, are more vulnerable to climate-related disasters and environmental degradation. - Acknowledging the distinct effects of climate change on women is crucial for creating effective, gender-responsive adaptation and mitigation strategies. - Women are key contributors to climate action and adaptation, offering innovative solutions and resilience strategies. - Elevating women's leadership and participation in decision-making at all levels is vital for effective climate change response. - Empowering women in leadership roles in climate advocacy and policymaking promotes more inclusive and sustainable solutions. - Feminist perspectives address root causes of climate change like patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism. - Feminists challenge dominant power structures and advocate for alternative governance and economic systems, fostering transformative climate action. - Emphasising feminist principles like intersectionality, solidarity, and collective action leads to just and equitable climate responses. This session was led by Thando Lukuko South Africa Climate Action Network Node Coordinator #DiakanyotsaThariRecycling University of Cape Town #FarmersNetworkSouthAfrica #WitzenbergJusticeCoalition Stellenbosch University #UbuntuRuralWomenandYouthDevelopment #SinethembaWomen #MakhabisiRecycling #SisonkeEnvironmentalJusticeNetwork #COMEC #UDM #Oribi #YWA #FLA #TheFutureIsFeminist #TheFutureIsEqual 

When I first started meeting bureaucrats, policymakers, and politicians while working on air pollution and climate change, I assumed scientific research would naturally lead to better policies. But over time, I kept getting the same response—expressed in different ways. Here, I’m sharing some early experiences that shaped my understanding of this disconnect. 🔹 One of my first experiences was when a very senior officer invited us to discuss solutions. As scientists, we proposed a research-driven approach that would take two to three years. His response? "We have funding that must be spent within a year. We expected practical solutions from you. We can’t wait three years—I might even be transferred before then." 🔹 Another realization came when we proposed analyzing pollution sources. A senior officer responded, "We already know the sources—traffic, industry, construction, waste burning, road dust, cooking fuel, etc. Will your study show anything drastically different?" When we explained that our study would refine insights and reduce uncertainties, his response was: "We don’t care about these nuances right now. That detail matters later, once mitigation efforts are underway. Right now, we need feasible solutions that fit economic, demographic, and practical constraints." Another officer later remarked: "Scientists aren’t here to provide solutions. Their focus is securing funding, publishing papers, and showcasing work to funders." He even cited global reports that had never been downloaded. At that moment, I felt disappointed. But I also realized they weren’t entirely wrong—perhaps even more right than I was. Policymakers work within short funding cycles, shifting priorities, and limited tenures—typically three years for an officer, five for a politician. Their constraints are real, and their approach reflects these realities. 💡 This disconnect between science and policy is a major barrier in sustainability. Scientists seek accuracy, while policymakers need actionable, timely solutions. So, how do we bridge this gap? ✔ Policy-Research Intermediaries – Teams that translate scientific findings into actionable policies. ✔ Adaptive Research Timelines – Delivering short-term, high-impact solutions alongside long-term studies. ✔ Collaborative Working Groups – Scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders aligning research with real-world needs. ✔ Flexible Funding Models – Ensuring funding supports both immediate action and long-term research. 🚀 If we don’t bridge this gap, science remains detached from policy, and policy stays reactive instead of proactive. #AirPollution #ClimateAction #SciencePolicy #Sustainability #Collaboration #ResearchToAction

Donella Meadows — The Woman Who Saw the World as a Whole Donella Meadows (1941–2001) was an American scientist, ecologist, systems thinker, and one of the pioneers of sustainable development. She earned a PhD from Harvard and worked at MIT, studying the interconnections between ecological and economic systems. Often called the “mother of systems thinking”, she became a guiding voice in tackling global social and environmental challenges. This post is not a collection of direct quotes. It’s a distilled summary of her ideas — clear and concise, designed to spark interest in brilliant minds who help us make sense of our complex world. ⸻ 20 Life Lessons for a Complex World — Inspired by Donella Meadows 1. See systems, not just parts. We tend to break things down, but life is about interconnected processes, not isolated details. 2. Life moves in cycles, not straight lines. If you don’t understand cycles, you’ll be shocked every time history repeats itself. 3. Every system has a limit. Growth has boundaries — in nature, business, or cities. Ignoring them leads to collapse. 4. You can’t fully control a system. It has its own logic. Learn, adapt, influence — but drop the illusion of total control. 5. True power lies in shaping minds. Paradigms drive behavior. Shift perception, and you change the system. 6. Leverage points are rarely obvious. The most effective change often happens in places people overlook. 7. Change the rules, change the game. If a problem feels unsolvable, maybe the rules themselves are flawed. 8. Chasing growth can destroy systems. Sustainable systems optimize, not endlessly expand. 9. More isn’t always better. Uncontrolled expansion often leads to collapse. Learn when to pause. 10. Flexibility beats force. The strongest systems bend and adapt without losing their core. 11. Evolution comes through crises. Instability isn’t failure — it’s the path to transformation. 12. Simple solutions still matter. In a complex world, trust, cooperation, and calm often work best. 13. Most disasters start small. Ignored problems today become major crises tomorrow. 14. Natural systems self-balance. Forests, rivers, and climate have regulated themselves for millennia — until we disrupted them. 15. Feedback is everything. Without honest feedback, you’re flying blind. 16. Uncertainty is a resource. Not knowing the future means you have the power to shape it. 17. Avoid systems that don’t learn. When mistakes go unexamined, failure becomes inevitable. 18. Culture changes more than politics. Lasting change begins with how people think. 19. Resistance isn’t proof of strength. Stubborn systems often survive by self-protection, not effectiveness. 20. You don’t need power to make change. Real shifts begin with those who ask bold, honest questions.

Systems Based Methods to Designing Research & Innovation Policy for Transitions! I. Complexity Research and innovation policies are faced with multiple and complex interconnected challenges, such as climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, global health, and geopolitical crises II. Systemic Transitions Experts in the field of innovation studies have provided substantial arguments in favour of deep transformations of our societies and institutions. Fostering systemic transitions goes beyond products and technologies and involves changes in broader sociotechnical systems. III. R&I policies As R&I policies lie at the core of transformative change, this requires a different approach to R&I policy. Notably, an approach that considers the complex and interconnected challenges, needs, and interests characterizing systemic change IV. Benefits of systems mapping 1. Better understand and navigate the complexity and uncertainty inherent in transformative innovation processes 2. Align the policy cycle with the non-linear nature of innovation, enabling more adaptive and responsive interventions 3. Develop a shared understanding systemic transition process among stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, via active participation and collaboration among these stakeholders, facilitating co-creation and co-production of knowledge 4. Incorporate new information, evaluate policy outcomes, and adjust interventions, accordingly, fostering continuous improvement and adaptability 5. Anticipate unintended consequences and deal with uncertainty by mapping out interactions and interdependencies among various elements of the innovation ecosystem 6. Design policies that are adaptive and can respond to changes in the innovation ecosystem over time V. Methods 1. System Dynamics Modelling – top-down (stock and flow) approach to evaluating system behaviour based on ordinary differential equations 2. Agent-Based Modelling – bottom-up (individual agents) approach to evaluating behaviour emergence 3. Causal Loop Diagrams/System Mapping – qualitative system diagrams that can focus on feedback relationship (causal loop diagrams) or generic system relationships 4. Strategic Foresight – qualitative planning method in futures studies Check out this insightful European Commission primer on systems-based methods by Erika Palmer and Bianca Cavicchi here: https://lnkd.in/ePkqCkxG #innovation #systems #systemsthinking #policy #foresight #futurethinking

🌍 Gender and Environmental Challenges in the Developing World 1. Disproportionate Vulnerability Women in developing countries are often more vulnerable to environmental challenges due to: i). Poverty and limited access to resources (land, credit, education, technology) ii). Heavy dependence on natural resources (forests, water, land) for daily livelihoods iii). Limited voice in decision-making processes (community, policy, household) iv). Increased burden from environmental degradation (e.g., walking farther for water/firewood) 2. Key Environmental Challenges Affecting Women a). Climate Change: Women face higher exposure to climate risks (e.g., floods, droughts) but have fewer resources to adapt b) Deforestation: Loss of fuelwood, herbs, and food sources, often collected by women. c). Water Scarcity: Women and girls spend more time collecting water, reducing time for education or paid work. d). Agricultural Decline: Women farmers have less access to inputs and land rights but are responsible for food production. e). Waste & Pollution: Indoor air pollution from cooking with biomass affects women’s health more severely. 3. Gender Inequalities That Exacerbate the Crisis Legal barriers to land ownership Gender-blind policies that fail to reflect women’s needs or voices Underrepresentation in environmental governance Informal labor roles that go unrecognized in adaptation and mitigation programs 4. Women as Environmental Stewards Despite the challenges, women are vital agents of environmental protection: *Indigenous women preserve traditional ecological knowledge *Women’s groups lead local conservation, reforestation, and clean energy initiatives *Female farmers are innovating in climate-smart agriculture 5. Pathways for Change To ensure equity and sustainability: *Integrate gender analysis into environmental programs and climate action *Support women’s access to land, finance, and green technology *Invest in women-led initiatives on conservation, resilience, and green jobs *Strengthen women’s leadership in environmental decision-making FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network, Women Educational Researchers of Kenya, Women's Empowerment Link Gender Equity Unit, UoN Anthropology and Gender Students Association, Gender Equity Policy Institute (GEPI), Institute for Faith and Gender Empowerment (IFAGE), CGIAR GENDER Accelerator, Gender, Work & Organization, HBS Race, Gender & Equity Initiative, UN Environment Programme, Gender, Adolescent Transitions & Environment (GATE) Program, EU Environment and ClimateEnvironmental Defense Fund Europe