PS 11-32 - Engage in the international science-policy interface: Why and how to participate in the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

Tuesday, August 9, 2016
ESA Exhibit Hall, Ft Lauderdale Convention Center
Kimberly Quach and Clifford Duke, Science Programs, Ecological Society of America, Washington, DC
Background/Question/Methods

Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are disappearing at unprecedented rates. Around the world, policymakers are making decisions that affect biodiversity but they lack the scientific knowledge necessary to understand the consequences at local, regional, and global scales. The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body dedicated to bridging this knowledge gap. IPBES conducts regular, peer reviewed assessments on biodiversity and ecosystem services topics requested by governments; identifies tools to support policy formation and implementation; and creates capacity building tools to support the use of science in policy. Through these tools, IPBES will improve the use of science in decision making at all policy levels.

Results/Conclusions

IPBES is seeking both early career and established scientists to join its mission. A number of ESA members have already contributed to IPBES assessments and to the formation of IPBES itself. There is a wide range of opportunities to participate, for example, providing input to scoping documents, serving as lead or supporting authors for assessments, and reviewing draft scoping documents and assessments. This presentation will summarize IPBES achievements to date, discuss how you can add to those achievements, and describe the benefits of participating. We will describe the results of the pollination and scenarios and modeling assessments and their impacts. We will use examples from ESA members and others who have become involved through our efforts. These benefits include opportunities to: influence national and international policy; grow your network; create new collaborations; gain experience in the science/policy interface; and make science relevant in international contexts.