{"id":8551,"date":"2021-10-07T09:57:17","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T09:57:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/?p=8551"},"modified":"2021-11-18T15:27:09","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T15:27:09","slug":"climate-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/2021\/10\/07\/climate-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate Heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The University of Reading is taking a leading role in ambitious efforts to tackle climate change, working with policymakers and communities around the globe to apply the latest science to real climate issues. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead of the 26th<\/sup> UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)<\/a>, CONNECTED takes a closer look at the climate expertise we have at Reading. From a long list of world-leading climate scientists, the Walker Institute<\/a>, and our partnership with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts<\/a>, we are proud of our climate expertise and how we are using it to make a real impact in the fight against climate change.<\/p>\n

Influential climate scientists<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Reading’s world-leading scientists contribute to a wealth of pioneering research, and are well placed to provide factual, informed accounts of the different ways climate change is affecting our planet.<\/p>\n

Six researchers from the University\u2019s Department of Meteorology<\/a> were lead authors in the Working Group I report of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report<\/a>, published in August 2021 \u2013 making Reading the most represented institution in the list of Working Group I authors.<\/p>\n

In addition, the University also has the joint highest number of scientists in a list of the world\u2019s 1,000 most influential climate researchers<\/a>. The Hot List<\/a>, compiled by global news agency Reuters, features 13 scientists affiliated to Reading, including two ranked inside the top 100. The total means that the University of Reading is the jointly most represented of any institution in the world, and is the most represented in the UK.<\/p>\n

The list was created by analysing how often scientists\u2019 published climate change studies had been cited by other researchers, and how widely they had been discussed in public, to identify the individuals whose research is best informing the world.<\/p>\n

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: \u201cThe Reuters Hot List confirms that Reading is home to some of the world\u2019s leading climate change experts, and also highlights the importance we place on communicating our work with the public and policymakers.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf we are to effectively tackle the issue of climate change, we need everyone \u2013 from presidents to school pupils \u2013 to understand the key issues. Climate education and communication are critical elements of this long-term global fight, and we are proud to make this a key part of our mission as a university.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Discover more about the areas in which our scientists are investigating climate change around the world<\/a>, from flooding to seed quality.<\/p>\n

The Walker Institute<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The University\u2019s interdisciplinary climate research centre, The Walker Institute<\/a>, supports the development of climate-resilient societies through research-led projects and collaboration with communities.<\/p>\n

Research at the Institute is helping us to address some of the fundamental challenges society is facing such as migration, food and water security, biodiversity loss, extreme weather and disasters. The Institute aims to turn discoveries into resources that make a genuine difference to the lives of some of the poorest communities around the world, and help safeguard the lives of generations to come.<\/p>\n

Professor Ros Cornforth, Director of the Walker Institute, said:<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe want to make a meaningful difference to peoples\u2019 lives \u2013 carrying out innovative and novel research that can tackle the complexity of the global challenges now facing society.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Find out more about some of the Institute\u2019s projects which are making a real impact on societies already being affected by climate change:<\/p>\n