Better late than too late: Policy options to fight a dystopian future

Publications

The 1.5° climate goal seems increasingly remote. Although the science is clear that rapid changes involving large parts of society are required to meet the climate goals, policymakers tend to rely on future, often uncertain, technologies instead of taking the required immediate action. These questions will be discussed at EASAC’s seminar at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.

“If politicians had listened to the science, we were not about to face what Antonio Guterrez calls ‘collective suicide’,” says Christina Moberg, outgoing President of EASAC and Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. “Yet, we will never give up.”

On 30 November, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences will not only host the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC) general assembly, but also a seminar on policy opportunities to reduce climate change and its impact on planetary and human health that is open to everyone.

The seminar will highlight, based on recent EASAC studies, options that policymakers could choose to enable the necessary transformations:

Climate change and biodiversity – common drivers, common solutions - Prof. Mike Norton, Environment Programme Director EASAC
Climate change and health: integrating scientific evidence to inform policy at national, regional and global levels - Dr Robin Fears, outgoing Biosciences Programme Director EASAC
Bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS) – a case of wishful thinking? - Professor Mike Norton, Environment Programme Director EASAC
Meat alternatives: The drive to reduce meat consumption: an emerging landscape of novel foods - Dr Louise Leong FRSB, Incoming Biosciences Programme Director EASAC

“As scientists we do not moralise but look at the scientific evidence. And once uncertainties have turned into certainties, it is even more important that researchers join forces and state in unequivocal terms what needs to be done. That is the mission of EASAC,” says Wim van Saarloos, Past President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and incoming EASAC President.

Event details:

Time: 30 November, 14.30 h to 17.00 h
Venue: Beijer Hall, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Lilla Frescativägen 4A, Stockholm. The event is free of charge and open to the public, but registration is required for participation in person. The seminar will also be live-streamed at the Academy’s event site. 

Contact for media enquiries and interviews:

Niels Reise
+46761347179, niels@communicationworks.eu

About EASAC:

The European Academies’ Science Advisory Council, EASAC, was founded in 2001 at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It brings together the National Academies of Science of the EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland and United Kingdom to provide independent science-based advice to European policymakers.

back to overview