3. Science Triumphant

Question 1

Describe the things that changed in the 1970s in relation to climate change research and culture.

Answer 1

Publications considered it a real issue
More research
Advocacy and academics met to discuss
International movement began
Weather anomalies and food shortages
Climate change as a political tool - threat
1970 - global atmospheric research project mandated to research and monitor climate
1978 - US climate research board

Question 2

Summarise the counterfacutal analysis of the formation of the IPCC

Answer 2

Signing of FCCC 1985
Politically impossible to solve due to economic nature of problem
AGGG’s own recommendations almost impossible - international
Intergovernmental mechanism couldn’t be set up sooner due to lack of concern

Question 3

Summarise Agrawala, 1998

Answer 3

AGGG had little structure, few staff and no money
ICSU focussed on research, non-political
WMO proposed WMO and UNEP form intergovnernmental mechanism
Formation aided by Tolba activism (ozone guy), US dissatisfaction with AGGG and conflicting views within gvnmt

Question 4

Summarise Hulme and Mohony, 2010

Answer 4

IPCC biased as very little social science information
There is a lack of assessment of elements of climate change where social science could have strong contributions
Lack of assessment of work from LEDCs
Over focus on consensus building, downplays uncertainty
Uncertainty viewed differently in different working groups