Key Points: Human Contributions and Responses to Climate Change

1
Key Points Human Contributions and Responses to
Climate Change

• The topic of Human Dimensions needs to be
  better reflected in all chapters
• Several important assessments were not
  specifically referenced (IPCC, Nat. Assessment)
• Additional detail on key linkages between
  research elements needs to be provided,
  including to ongoing technology efforts
• Products, pay-offs and the time-frames for
  outputs need to be better defined
• Need stronger emphasis on multiple social and
  environmental stresses
• Elaborate ways in which the plan links to policy
  and other action

2
Key Points Human Contributions and Responses to
Climate Change

• The plan does not provide a good balance between
  mitigation and adaptation issues
• Need to focus on the whole range of costs,
  including associated non-monetized costs,
  especially regarding adaptation
• Plan needs to be broadened to include
  international inputs
• Diversify intellectual capital to recognize the
  unique contribution of indigenous knowledge
• Increase research relevant to vulnerable and
  special populations

3
Key Points Human Contributions and Responses to
Climate Change

• Increase emphasis on research on abrupt change
  and social and environmental surprises
• Need to place specific effort on integration of
  qualitative and quantitative analyses
• Research needed on public acceptance of new
  technologies and strategies
• Opportunity to learn from experience with climate
  variability research
• Need to reach out to partners not heretofore
  engaged in global change research efforts
• An essential dimension of the human dimensions
  endeavor is outreach to the public