Abstract

Although climate change impacts are starting to be felt, policymakers are still struggling to reach agreement (especially between "North" and "South" countries) whilst scientists continue to grapple with and better understand what is likely to occur on a regional basis, how we might need to adapt, what the costs of adaptation might be, and whether mitigation actions can happen quickly enough. The drive for more knowledge on such issues as sustainable energy systems to displace fossil fuels has a long way to go, but R&D investment remains limited in many countries, including New Zealand. Meanwhile the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) continues to synthesise the latest scientific information that has been published and present the knowledge in a format suitable for policymakers and the general public to comprehend. Communicating this complex topic, whose evident impacts will occur only over the long term, is a major challenge.
Recent attempts to undermine the climate science and the IPCC are of grave concern since they have successfully held up the process, as was the intent. This paper will present the current political context of climate change, consider the future challenges for the IPCC, and outline some possible technical and social solutions to help maintain global temperature rise below the challenging 2⁰C target, as was agreed in Copenhagen late last year.

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