Climate scientists need professional body, says UCL policy commission

Climate scientists need to establish a professional body to help define their roles, values and practices to satisfy society's needs, and to provide guidance to improve their training and development, according to a report published today by the UCL Policy Commission on the Communication of Climate Science. This is because currently they are finding themselves ill-prepared to engage with the often emotionally, politically and ideologically charged public discourse on the evaluation and use of their science. The report's authors argue that establishing a professional body would offer leadership for scientists working in the field, to provide a means for them to communicate more effectively with non-scientists, and to facilitate better engagement between the climate science community and policymakers. Other recommendations in Time for Change: Climate Science Reconsidered include: Communication: there is a need for the general public and climate scientists to engage in an open dialogue, requiring scientists to develop a 'meta-narrative' that conveys the big picture and provides the context for discussion of results, their uncertainties and their implications; Training: there is a need to equip the climate science community with the skills to fulfil the roles of 'pure scientist', 'science communicator', science arbiter', 'issue advocate' and honest broker of policy alternatives'.