Open AccessFrom Ice Sheets to Main Streets: Intermediaries Connect Climate Scientists to Coastal Adaptation
Author(s) -
Ultee Lizz,
Arnott James C.,
Bassis Jeremy,
Lemos Maria Carmen
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
earth's future
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.641
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2328-4277
DOI - 10.1002/2018ef000827
Subject(s) - intermediary , adaptation (eye) , intermediation , relevance (law) , scope (computer science) , politics , environmental resource management , business , political science , environmental planning , knowledge management , geography , computer science , marketing , environmental science , psychology , finance , neuroscience , law , programming language
Despite the societal relevance of sea‐level research, a knowledge‐to‐action gap remains between researchers and coastal communities. In the agricultural and water‐management sectors, intermediaries such as consultants and extension agencies have a long and well‐documented history of helping to facilitate the application of scientific knowledge on the ground. However, the role of such intermediaries in adaptation to sea‐level rise, though potentially of vital importance, has been less thoroughly explored. In this commentary, we describe three styles of science intermediation that can connect researchers working on sea‐level projections with decision‐makers relying on those projections. We illustrate these styles with examples of recent and ongoing contexts for the application of sea‐level research, at different spatial scales and political levels ranging from urban development projects to international organizations. Our examples highlight opportunities and drawbacks for the researchers involved and communities adapting to rising seas.