Scientists, leaders and climate change - Meeting Report

Young scientists launch the «Bern-manifesto» on climate change and its impact on cities. After a one week long retreat an international group of more than 50 young scientists and economic researchers presented a synthesis of climate change impact to political and business leaders from the UK and Switzerland. The workshop was concerned with «Climate Change and its impact on cities». Participants identified a wide range of climate-change induced problems, that require specific solutions, urgently. The group from the UK, Switzerland, the USA and Bangladesh additionally proposed innovative solutions to today's leaders that combine scientific research, economics and policy making.
Intensive discussion resulted in publication of the group's consensus in the «Berne-Manifesto». This manifesto comprises the outline of novel long-term contracts between governments and businesses for reducing carbon emissions. In addition, personal carbon-dioxide allowances encourage the individual to reduce the impact their energy use will have on the next generations. The manifesto lists more than a dozen specific solutions that range from mitigating measures like carbon storage to adaptation strategies to climatic extreme events such as flooding, heat waves, and resource efficient building design.
Representative cities (Los Angeles, London, Berne and Chittagong) served as case studies to develop specific action plans, emphasising the areas of energy use, water supply, extreme events like flooding, heat waves, and global sea-level rise. Climate induced changes relating to these cities were presented in the unusual format of a television news feature to over 120 guests at the Stade de Suisse in Berne, Switzerland.
The workshop was specifically designed to encourage «thinking outside the box«. This was facilitated by inviting young experts in fields as diverse as the climate and environmental sciences, health impact experts, economists, law and policy strategists, young political activists and strategic researchers from water, energy and financial businesses. A group of scientific experts were trained in communication and moderation skills by a BBC correspondent and a presentation trainer. The delegates' creativity was aided by the help of a poet, cartoonist, photographer, and linguist.
Background information:
The workshop was organised by the British Council in Switzerland together with the local partners ProClim- (CH) and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (UK), with financial support from 16 companies and additional partners, including the British Embassy in Berne.