Simon Donner

Simon Donner

Climate matters

Climate matters

Climate


The evil in this world is not done only by those who commit it, but those who stand by and do nothing
- Albert Einstein

There is a widespread consensus in the scientific community that human activity is influencing the climate. Much of the uncertainty you hear about in the news is in the details of the science (regional impacts, feedback effects) and the demographic and economic projections of future. The latest assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change best summarizes the conclusions of the scientific community.

Nevertheless, everywhere you turn, people are arguing about climate change. Lost in this political haze is the important conservation about just how climate, and in turn, climate change, impact our lives.

The question is why, exactly, does climate matter? My research program examines how ecosystems and human communities respond to climate variability and changes in climate over time. This work provides insight into three key questions for today:

  • How does climate variability affect ecosystem function and society?

  • What level of climate change is dangerous for different ecosystems and communities?

  • How can society and ecosystems adapt to climate change?

Some ongoing areas of climate research include:
  • climate variability, climate change and coral bleaching
  • climate variability and nutrient export to the ocean
  • the societal response to climate variability and climate change in the Pacific Islands;
  • strategies for climate change adaptation in the Pacific,
  • obstacles to public education about climate change.


In addition to the scholarly research, I contribute to the public discussion on climate change science and policy through Maribo and other public forums. The state of Canadian policy on climate change is a particular area of interest. As I've been writing for several years in Canadian publications (see my column in advance of the 2004 election), this issue is not going to disappear. Our ongoing debate about emissions policy has not only allowed greenhouse gas emissions to increase, it has cost the world an important leader on global environmental issues.