"Social science has a crucial role to play": Pandor
Speaking at an Human Science Research Council side event at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) in Durban this morning, Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor emphasised the importance of social science in contributing to policy making around climate-change science.
Minister Pandor said: "the social sciences can help provide evidence-based effective climate policies that integrate diverse adaptation and mitigation actions to reduce the adverse effects of climate change on human and natural systems." Minister Pandor was speaking at the end of a seminar that included contributions from Dr Heide Hackmann and Dr Asuncion Lera St Clair (ISSC), Ms Elizabeth Longworth (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), and Dr Peter Jacobs (Human Sciences Research Council)
Minister Pandor added: "Clearly, the challenge of climate change is twofold: to make a transition to a lower carbon global economy, and to adapt to the impacts of future climate changes. To meet these challenges, society needs professionals and policy-makers who understand the complex issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Consequently, the social sciences have a critical role to play by collaborating to provide "meaningful knowledge that works" in helping communities, nations and regions to respond to current and projected changes in climate."
COP17 Durban - "social science has a crucial role to play in climate-change policy making": Pandor
