This is one of the messages to emerge from the recent Science for Today public lecture series of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), which takes on topical issues for examination through science.

“Mitigation is changing so we reduce the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) we put in the atmosphere. Adaptation is changing in order that we and others can live with the changed climate,” noted Dr Tannecia Stephenson, head of the Department of Physics at the UWI, adding that also required is action informed by contextual research.

GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, are known to fuel climate change that brings with it several projected impacts, including more severe weather events, including the likes of hurricanes Irma, Maria and Dorian that have been experienced in the islands.

“We have to push for mitigation regionally and globally to offset the worst future possible. We have to think again about the standards, norms and bases we are using when factoring in climate change in adaptation planning,” the physicist added.

Also required, Stephenson said, is “substantially increasing climate impacts research” and figuring out quickly “the science policy interface”.

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