One of the biggest challenges that I became aware of in previous work as a climate scientist is the gap between understanding how the science translates to dollars, and confidently putting forth those estimates to policymakers to introduce and enact legislation. Monetizing things like ecosystem destruction, for example, in particular with some model uncertainty, is a daunting task for scientists who are trained to be unbiased and factual. These assessments are a critical component- how can economists and policymakers then take the science to the next step, as something to contend with competing industry profits?
Scientists from US government release a national climate assessment on climate impacts in the United States. Such orchestrated efforts in climate research are critical to understanding and predicting large scale impacts so that society can better plan for, and ideally take action to mitigate these effects through policy and emission reduction.
The document is quite impressive, containing an extensive overview of 12 broad chapters, ranging from impacts on infrastructure to indigenous people, to health and the economy. Find the summary and full report here.
Heather Throckmorton, PhD 
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