International Universities Climate Alliance

Hokkaido University's Sustainability Report 2024 is published! Read the comprehensive report on the environmental and societal impacts of our university's initiatives in promoting sustainability. 🌱 https://bit.ly/3Va5oD6 #HokkaidoUniversity #北海道大学 #北大 #sustainability #SDGs

Are climate scientists less trusted than general scientists?   Over recent decades, climate change deniers have actively worked to erode trust in climate scientists and their findings. Yet, little is known about how trust in climate scientists compares to trust in scientists overall, particularly across different countries.   An international study led by UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response Research Associate Dr Omid Ghasemi has addressed this question using data from the Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism Many Labs project led by Harvard University, which surveyed over 71,000 participants across 68 countries.   The study revealed a significant trust gap: in 43 of the 68 countries, trust in climate scientists was lower than trust in scientists overall. In 19 countries, no significant difference was observed, while six countries showed higher trust in climate scientists.   Political ideology emerged as a key factor. In most nations, right-leaning ideologies and conservatism were stronger predictors of mistrust toward climate scientists than toward scientists in general. These ideologies were also linked to a larger trust gap favouring scientists over climate scientists.   This trust gap may reflect the success of conservative countermovements in casting doubt on the credibility of climate science.   Bridging this gap is critical. Trust in scientists plays a vital role in public acceptance of evidence-based recommendations, essential for accelerating climate action.   The study is pending peer review. Access the preprint here: https://lnkd.in/gVuW-Eyb   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gZaReP-k   Co-authors also include: Viktoria Cologna, Niels G. Mede, Samantha Stanley, Noel Strahm, Robert Ross, Mark Alfano, John R. Kerr, Mathew D. Marques, Sebastian Berger, John C. Besley, Cameron Brick, Marina Joubert, Ed Maibach, Sabina Mihelj, Ben Newell, Oreskes Naomi, Mike S. Schäfer

📣 Join a global-scale hackathon organized by WCRP's Digital Earths lighthouse activity!! This event brings together researchers, data scientists, and innovators to collaborate on advancing kilometer-scale climate modeling and prediction and analyzing storm-resolving models. More info below. Express your interest now! #ClimateModels #ClimateScience

For those in the climate risk space: Please consider submitting an abstract to our European Geosciences Union (EGU) session "Interdisciplinary approaches to addressing climate risks associated with weather extremes". Risk is the nexus of hazard, vulnerability, and exposure, so to tackle climate risks we need an interdisciplinary approach with input from experts in all three pillars. Here we focus on understanding, communicating, and making decisions around climate risks related to extreme weather. Topics of interest: * storyline approaches considering societal challenges alongside physical risks; * physical hazard understanding in relation to providing information to decision makers; * financial and insurance sectors’ responses to weather extremes; * impact-based forecasting and projections for risk understanding; * early-warning systems and associated decision making. The deadline for abstract submissions is 15 January. Convenors: Tim Raupach, Ben Newell, Tanya Fiedler, Olivia Martius, Matthias Röthlisberger. https://lnkd.in/g6pw_H9A

🎓 Climate Action and Capacity Building for Higher Education Students 🎓 🔎 Check out a compilation of key insights from the recent Global Thematic Dialogue considering the leadership role universities have to play in supporting the next generation of climate and sustainability leaders. Are they playing their role? What opportunities do young people see for enhancing practice? Held online, across two sessions, academics, students, and youth leaders from across 27 countries discussed diverse and multidisciplinary perspectives. Read More 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g3xg8ZSp Hailey Campbell, Mark Ortiz, Belinda Davis, Lara Saguisag, Ritah Nakanjako, Laura Riuttanen, William Finnegan, Amy Munro-Faure, Isabelle Zhu-Maguire, Alemu Addisu, Susie Ho Care About Climate, Penn State University, Monash University, New York University, Student Energy UNSW, University of Bristol, University of Helsinki, University of Oxford, Mekelle University, The Australian National University, Cambridge Zero 

The International Universities Climate Alliance (IUCA) supported the UN-Expert Group on Water & Climate Change to prepare this UN-Analytical Brief, presented at the Water for Climate Pavilion this week at COP29 on 'Water for Climate Mitigation'. The Brief draws on the IUCA study, undertaken in collaboration with the UN-Expert Group on Water & Climate Change, which was released earlier this year at the Bonn Climate Conference (SB60). #universitiescollaboratingforclimateimpact 

Access to both 💧 clean drinking water and   🚽 safe management of human waste and wastewater (sanitation)  is increasingly recognised as a crucial component for both climate adaptation and mitigation. water@leeds recently published the first ever global guidelines for climate-resilient sanitation, launched by the Green Climate Fund, offering structured advice to member states, utilities and service providers on how to design and structure projects for climate resilient sanitation. On water day at #COP29, they would like world leaders to recognise that solutions lie in research to deepen understanding of the breadth of climate-sanitation, as well as programme-focused research that addresses challenges. Read more 🚱👇 https://lnkd.in/eYpeSEy9

„COLDSPOT“: 2,14 Millionen Euro für die Erforschung von Treibhausgas-Senken in der Arktis! ❄️ Steigende Temperaturen, schwindende Eismassen, wärmer werdende Wasser- und Lufttemperaturen – die Auswirkungen der weltweiten Klimaveränderung zeigen sich besonders deutlich in der Arktis und beeinflussen dort auch die biogeochemischen Stoffkreisläufe im Boden. Die komplexen Prozesse, die dabei ablaufen und zur Freisetzung oder Aufnahme von Treibhausgasen in Permafrostregionen führen, wird Dr. Carolina Voigt im Rahmen eines neuen European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants erforschen. Hierfür wird die Biogeochemikerin mit Permafrostforschenden des Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung aus Potsdam und der Uni Hamburg zusammenarbeiten. Für ihr Vorhaben erhalten sie vom Europäischen Forschungsrat 2,14 Millionen Euro bis Ende Januar 2030. Artikel in den Kommentaren ⬇

Curious about how the International Universities Climate Alliance has been engaging with COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan? The Alliance is working to support and accelerate action in several global climate policy areas.  Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gmS6yEkR

In support of the UNFCCC Climate-Proofing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) campaign, the International Universities Climate Alliance in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Engagement at Hughes Hall, and Cambridge Zero at the University of Cambridge worked with global partners and networks to discuss and document current academic insights. There are substantial numbers of SMEs, who are under-resourced, and who have an important role to play if properly empowered.  Independent, credible, expert evidence is critical to understanding and can underpin effective climate proofing of small businesses. A report collating academic insights from around the world was released at COP29 in Baku, to inform COP29 discussions between High Level Champions and key policy makers/party and Non-State-Actor representatives.  Read More  🔗 https://lnkd.in/gH7eEngq #ClimateProofingSMEs Stephen Davison Eldrid Herrington