Beyond climate science: breaking barriers to social and political action

Event details

A common response to climate change threats is paralysis. This paralysis doesn’t arise primarily from scientific uncertainties or technological limitations, but from social and psychological barriers, exacerbated by poor communication by scientists.

During this event designed for York academics, the York Environmental Sustainability Institute will explore this transdisciplinary problem, looking specifically at breaking the barriers to social and political action on climate change.

The event will also be used as a platform to launch the new YESI Climate Change Network which is designed to bring together physical and social scientists to find synergies and establish collaborations to address the questions of how science should interact with policy and how to effectively motivate change.

The session will begin with a series of talks accompanied by ‘Soapbox talks’ which will allow attendees to voice their views and/or promote their research in short 3 minute slots. If you would like to participate in the ‘Soapbox talks’ please contact yesi@york.ac.uk to book your slot.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Prof Chris Thomas, Department of Biology ‘Species response to climate change’

• Dr Sarah Moller, National Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry 'Getting science into policy'

• Prof Mark Freeman, The York Management School ‘Perceptions of climate change risk’

• Dr Kevin Cowtan, Department of Chemistry ‘Understanding climate science and why some people reject it’

• Prof Neil Carter, Department of Politics ‘Human adaptation and political action on climate change’

• Dr Shauna Concannon, Department of Theatre, Film and Television 'Dialogues for social change'