CSAG is a leading international climate research centre based in Africa with broad research skills and competency in both physical and social dimensions of climate, a strong experience in engaging with society, and an excellent track record in capacity development. We prioritize societally relevant research to support responses to climate variability and change.
“Elephants in the room” refers to those big issues that dwarf all the little nuts and bolts of research. They’re the issues that are so difficult that they tend to get avoided, or only weakly addressed. Everyone knows they’re there, but not much traction is being gained in dealing with them. In 2023 the World… Read more »
Using a Climate Change Risk Perceptions Framing to Identify Gaps in Climate Services Given the rise in climate services for decision-making, it is important to understand whether these services are meeting the context-specific needs of decision-makers, including identifying any gaps in current climate services. This study sets out to investigate the efficacy of current climate… Read more »
The April 2021 fire will be difficult to forget any time soon. One year later, what have we learnt about this fire and the risk of another big one?
The role of indigenous knowledge and local knowledge in water sector adaptation to climate change in Africa: a structured assessment Evidence is increasing of human responses to the impacts of climate change in Africa. However, understanding of the effectiveness of these responses for adaptation to climate change across the diversity of African contexts is still… Read more »
Power dynamics in transdisciplinary research for sustainable urban transitions Transdisciplinary Research (TDR) fosters collaboration amongst stakeholders from different academic disciplines and sectors of society, to jointly search for solutions to complex challenges including rapid urbanization. In order to enhance collaboration and ensure reciprocity of expertize amongst stakeholders, flattening the hierarchy of power is critical for… Read more »
The Working Group II contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report assesses the impacts of climate change, looking at ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities at global and regional levels. It also reviews vulnerabilities and the capacities and limits of the natural world and human societies to adapt to climate change. CSAG researchers Chris Lennard (lead… Read more »
In this episode, we explore the concept of impact models, which are models that use climate information as input then make specific projections, or produce narratives about impacts within an end-user sector. This user then incorporates this specific information into appropriate decision-making. Within climate services, this process is an expanding field. Peter Johnston talks to… Read more »
Attribution of severe low rainfall in southern Madagascar, 2019-21 Main findings • Southern Madagascar has been facing a severe food security crisis, made significantly worse by well below average rainfall from July 2019 to June 2021. This exceptional drought has affected a region with high pre-existing levels of vulnerability to food insecurity, and the impacts… Read more »
In this Episode we explore the concept of the climate services value chain – the idea that climate information is produced by scientists and then fed down a chain of intermediaries who tailor or transform it, until it reaches its intended “end” user.” This user then incorporates that information into decision making. Within the climate… Read more »