Face the Facts

Meet some of Scotland’s leading climate researchers talking about their work in the lead up to the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26.

The UK are hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties COP26 in Glasgow frpm 1–12 November 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scottish Science Advisory Council and Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society have collaborated for Face The Facts to help highlight Scottish research and science and its contribution to understanding and tackling climate change. A broad range of researchers and practitioners in Scotland whose work relates to the Earth’s climate are being interviewed in the lead up to COP26.

View the video series on the RSE Youtube

Meet the experts

What actions need to come from COP26 and why?
Professor Jim Skea, Co-Chair and contributor to the IPCC climate report explains what actions he would like to see emerge from COP26 | Face the Facts
The effect of climate change on Scotland’s waters and water species
Dr Rachel Helliwell explains how climate change will affect Scotland as a hydro nation | Face the Facts
Protecting biodiversity while moving to renewable energy sources
Professor Paul Thompson explores the importance of maintaining marine biodiversity while expanding renewable energy sources | Face the Facts
The way climate change affects wildlife and the lessons we can learn from it
Dr Ana Payo Payo explains the changes happening in marine wildlife due to climate change | Face the Facts
How biology can provide solutions to climate change and fossil fuel
Professor Louise Horsfall explains how synthetic biology can improve the sustainability of biological processes and products | Face the Facts
How SRUC is helping us to adapt and survive in a changing climate
Professor Wayne Powell outlines the work happening at SRUC to grow our resilience to a changing climate | Face the Facts
Are climate change solutions hidden within nature itself?
Dr Rebecca Wade examines the advancements in nature-based solutions that are helping to tackle climate change | Face the Facts
Focusing on societal change can inadvertently help solve climate change
Professor Andy Kerr discusses how focussing on solving inequalities in society can inadvertently help tackle climate change issues | Face the Facts
How blue carbon could be Scotland’s answer to combatting climate change
Dr Heidi Burdett discusses blue carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems that could help Scotland fight climate change | Face the Facts
Can we use the past to predict future climate change disasters?
Professor Gabi Hegerl discusses how using the observations of past climate events can help predict future disasters | Face the Facts
Could our gardens provide the answer to CO2 reduction?
Dr Ehsan Jorat explores his work on how urban and agricultural soils can provide carbon sequestration | Face the Facts
How Scottish Water is tackling climate change
Professor Elise Cartmell explains the efforts Scottish Water are making to decarbonise and help tackle climate change | Face the Facts
How Scotland’s coral reef research could help combat climate change
Professor Sandy Tudhope FRSE discusses how Scotland could be a surprise contender in solving coral reef and climate change issues | Face the Facts
How Scotland can tackle climate change in a fair way for all
Dr Kirsten Jenkins discusses how Scotland’s climate change solutions can be inclusive and fair to everyone in society | Face the Facts
How Scotland can use its land to meet climate change targets
Professor Pete Smith explains the importance of land and soil as a carbon sink to fight climate change | Face the Facts
How can energy-intensive industries achieve net-zero?
Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer FRSE explores the decarbonisation solutions available, particularly to energy-intensive industries | Face the Facts
How insects could provide a solution to climate change
Dr Thomas Farrugia explores how insects and insect protein could help reduce waste and contribute to a greener society | Face the Facts
Are Scotland’s peatlands the answer to tackling climate change?
Dr Roxane Andersen explains the importance of Scotland’s peatlands as a nature-based solution to climate change | Face the Facts
How engineering and infrastructure need to evolve to survive climate change
Dr Daniel Barreto discusses the advances needed in engineering for infrastructure to survive the risks associated with climate change | Face the Facts
How we can make the way we grow and eat food more sustainable
Professor Lorna Dawson CBE FRSE discusses how we can combat climate change by growing, shopping and eating more sustainably | Face the Facts
Is communication as important as research to tackle climate change?
Dr Hermione Cockburn OBE FRSE discusses why the way we communicate science can be as important as the research itself | Face the Facts
How climate change affects people and communities
Dr Leslie Mabon discusses the social impact of climate change and how solutions can affect people and communities | Face the Facts
The future of tourism and holidays in a world of climate change
Dr Sandro Carnicelli explores what climate means for the future of travel, tourism and holidays | Face the Facts
What data tells us about the impacts of climate change
Professor Marian Scott OBE FRSE talks about the how data and statistics can be used to help tackle climate change | Face the Facts

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