Introduction
Why does Climate Change and Adaptation need risk science?
Climate change is, period.
For all but a few, climate change is a given. Scientists worldwide agree that current evidence of climate change is overwhelming and irrefutable. It is the defining issue of the next century. Entire companies and organizations are devoting 100% of their efforts to combatting climate change; or at least, they are trying to mitigate it and find ways of adapting to it.
The greatest obstacle to climate change is embodied in Mahatma Gandhi's quote below: we are the problem. We are not changing the way we hope that the world will change. As it often the case in humanity, we choose to live a life of comfort and plenty and resist adopting simpler more sustainable practices.
Compounding our own inadequacies are the challenges faced by industry and government. While they are often derided for not doing enough, changing major systems is not a flick-of-the-switch action. Weaning ourselves from non-renewable resources is challenging. Finding low-waste approaches to consumption is costly. To date, we have failed to achieve our internationally agreed to greenhouse gas emission targets.
What climate change needs most is a joint effort from the public, industry, civil society, and government. The best way to stimulate a concerted joint effort is to find solutions that address the needs and expectations of all.
Working together, society will find those solutions.
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
by Mahatma Gandhi
RSI and Climate Change and Adaptation
RSI's Motivation
RSI appreciates the challenges of arresting climate change. RSI understands that climate change is a critical global risk issue and seeks to address this issue by applying its diverse skills in risk science to support global efforts to stop climate change.
Building on the unique RSI skillset, RSI focusses its efforts being an arbiter of solutions, rather than the proponent. Since its founding in 2006, RSI has invested in climate-related decision tools that allowed municipalities and governments to make informed choices. The Risk and Return on Investment Tool helps cities faced with flooding does just that.
Looking ahead, RSI is well-positioned to support climate change mitigation and adaptation analysis. More so than making recommendations, RSI will focus its energies on evaluating action plans, energy solutions, health policies and infrastructure schemes. As an international leader in risk science, RSI remains committed to supporting the development and implementation of effective climate change solutions.
What is our expertise in Climate Change and Adaptation?
RSI has been engaged in a wide variety of climate change activities over the last decade. RSI has evaluated alternative climate change mitigation strategies, and developed a capacity in climate change analytics to better characterize current and future impacts of global change.
Integrating its expertise in risk science and climate analytics, RSI provides assistance to clients in identifying and evaluating diverse solutions to climate change challenges.In providing such solutions, Risk Sciences International is able to engage international experts in climate change from its well-established network.
Serving You
Risk Sciences International focusses on two specific services within the climate change sector.
The first, and primary offering, is that of being an arbiter of decisions. Companies, government authorities, and organizations are making difficult choices related to climate change. What should be cut? What should be added? How much is enough, and how much is too much? What are the risks associated with the decision? RSI is able to offer independent, objective analysis of options being considered by clients to support their efforts to mitigate climate change, both locally and globally.
Secondly, RSI builds decision support tools that help decision-makers to make the tough climate change choices. These tools can be extremely helpful in informing and validating complex, fast-moving scenarios that lead to consequential decisions regarding the future of our planet.