“Acceptance Speech” Frontiers of Knowledge Award 2021 in Climate Change

Acceptance speech by Karen O’Brien, winner of the 2021 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change, who was honored alongside Neil Adger and Ian Burton for their contributions to understanding the human and social dimensions of climate change. Her research has shown how the interaction between global warming and globalization can intensify inequalities and shape people’s vulnerability, highlighting the need to incorporate social, cultural and political factors into climate adaptation strategies.

O’Brien reflects on climate change as a challenge that extends beyond environmental concerns and recalls her research with Robin Leichenko on the concept of double exposure, which explains how climate change and globalization overlap and reinforce each other. Using examples such as Arctic ice melt, she highlights the interdependence of climate, economic and health crises and advocates

Acceptance speech by Karen O’Brien, winner of the 2021 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change, who was honored alongside Neil Adger and Ian Burton for their contributions to understanding the human and social dimensions of climate change. Her research has shown how the interaction between global warming and globalization can intensify inequalities and shape people’s vulnerability, highlighting the need to incorporate social, cultural and political factors into climate adaptation strategies.

O’Brien reflects on climate change as a challenge that extends beyond environmental concerns and recalls her research with Robin Leichenko on the concept of double exposure, which explains how climate change and globalization overlap and reinforce each other. Using examples such as Arctic ice melt, she highlights the interdependence of climate, economic and health crises and advocates transforming energy, food, education and social systems in a fair and sustainable way, addressing the underlying causes of vulnerability while protecting biodiversity.