A Citizen Empowered Online Platform for Communicating Climate Science to the General Public Michel S. Bourqui Dr Bourqui – Atmospheric and Climate Sciences Consulting, Zurich, Switzerland (Formerly Ass. Prof. at McGill University, Montreal, Canada) Michel Bourqui

Plan 1.Motivation 2.Purposes of the Online Platform 3.The Platform at a Glance 4.Plans for the Next Future 5.Summary Michel Bourqui

Motivation The impact of Climate Change (CC) on society is large and growing The public is concerned (1) Communication and dissemination are now important elements of Climate Sciences Governments now have access to science-based information thanks to the IPCC What about the general public? What about the media? What about the teachers? What about the local actors (politicians, economists, entrepreneurs,…)? What about people not speaking English? (1) More than 50% of people in OECD and more than 40% in non-OECD countries express a concern about the environment. Franzen, A., Vogl, D., Two decades of measuring environmental attitudes: A comparative analysis of 33 countries. Global Environ. Change (2013), Could we build over time some kind of knowledge base on climate sciences, accessible to the general public in a non-scientific language, which could then serve everybody as a support for teaching, journalism and taking decisions? Michel Bourqui

Why not? Michel Bourqui

Purposes of the Platform (1/2) 1.To provide the general public with a free and direct access to the existing knowledge in climate sciences 2.To provide the climate scientists with a simple and reliable way to disseminate their research A journal publishing climate articles led by climate scientists, written for the general public, and peer-reviewed through a tailored process Michel Bourqui

Purposes of the Platform (2/2) 3.To provide a structure of exchange between scientists and citizens on questions related to Climate Sciences Involvement of citizens as co-authors of climate articles, as translators, as referees A specially dedicated forum for citizens to invite climate articles to be written on chosen topics A channel for citizens to get involved in Citizen Climate Science projects Michel Bourqui

The Flow Stream of Manuscripts 1.Submission of original manuscripts: – by a team of authors led by a climate scientist – in English 2.Evaluation of manuscripts through a special two step peer-review process: 1.Open Review, with review reports from Two requested scientific referees* Two requested non-scientific referees Any member (excl. authors) 2.Open Discussion, with comments from any member 3.Publication of manuscripts: – Articles are published in open access – Impact metrics are coming soon – Manuscripts and peer-review data stay available to members 4.Translation of published articles: – Submission in any language by any member – Two-step peer-review of the translated manuscript (without requested scientific referees) 5.Update of published articles: – Replaces the previous version in open access – Previous versions stay available to members *This requirement is relaxed in situations where an author of a published scientific paper submits a version of this paper re-written in non-scientific language. Michel Bourqui

The Platform’s Status Now Functional Pre-registration is open The Journal is ready to receive submissions of manuscripts and manuscript invitations Michel Bourqui

What’s next? Progressive build up of a basis of members – Scientific members – Non-scientific members Build up of the Editorial board – Executive Editors – Co-Editors Seeking 50 “Experimental Authors” to participate in the First Manuscripts Contest (rewards expected!) Michel Bourqui

On the Governance The Platform, its journal and the web site will be governed as an association by its members The Platform will be exclusively financed through country-adjusted flat membership fees Michel Bourqui

Sign up! Get ready for the First Manuscripts Contest! And spread the word to colleagues, students, friends, etc…

Summary - the Key Features Peer-review process tailored for high-quality climate articles for the general public Articles published in open access Articles updated as science progresses Articles translated by citizens Citizens able to invite articles to be written Citizens able to co-author articles Citizens able to team up with scientists to develop Citizen Climate Science projects Michel Bourqui