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

Acceptance speech by Neil Adger, winner of the 2021 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change, who was honored alongside Ian Burton and Karen O’Brien for their contributions to understanding the human and social dimensions of climate change. His research has shown how economic, political and cultural conditions shape people’s vulnerability and capacity to adapt, particularly in relation to climate-related migration and the loss of livelihoods.

Adger reflects on the frustration of researching climate change impacts while floods, droughts, wildfires and population displacement continue to increase. He points to the resistance of vested interests to moving away from fossil fuels and emphasizes the role of social sciences in understanding collective behavior, giving a voice to vulnerable communities and developing responses that strengthen their resilience. He concludes with a

Acceptance speech by Neil Adger, winner of the 2021 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change, who was honored alongside Ian Burton and Karen O’Brien for their contributions to understanding the human and social dimensions of climate change. His research has shown how economic, political and cultural conditions shape people’s vulnerability and capacity to adapt, particularly in relation to climate-related migration and the loss of livelihoods.

Adger reflects on the frustration of researching climate change impacts while floods, droughts, wildfires and population displacement continue to increase. He points to the resistance of vested interests to moving away from fossil fuels and emphasizes the role of social sciences in understanding collective behavior, giving a voice to vulnerable communities and developing responses that strengthen their resilience. He concludes with a call to build a fairer and safer world where everyone can live with dignity in the places they know and love.