Seven UWI scholars, including three from the St Augustine campus, are contributing authors to the most authoritative international report on climate change. They are among the 664 scientists from across the globe sharing their expertise in the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC’s) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7).

Six first-time contributors from UWI St Augustine and Mona join Professor Michelle Mycoo, who served as a Coordinating Lead Author in the Sixth Assessment Report. They are Dr Preeya Mohan and Dr Randy Ramadhar Singh from St Augustine, and Dr Natalie Dietrich Jones, Dr Georgiana Gordon-Strachan, Dr Jhordanne Jones, and Dr Rose-Ann Smith from the Mona campus. Professor Mycoo is also from UWI St Augustine.

Together, they will contribute across all four major AR7 reports: the “Special Report on Climate Change and Cities” and three working group reports focussed on science, adaptation, and mitigation. Professor Mycoo takes on an extended role this cycle with appointments to Working Group II review editor on adaptation as well as lead author of the climate change and cities report.

“The UWI’s participation in the AR7 cycle highlights the rise of new Caribbean climate experts and the essential inclusion of regional perspectives in global climate science,” commented UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. “Our representation ensures that the realities of small island nations are integral to shaping adaptation strategies and policies to combat climate change.”

The Vice-Chancellor said, “We commend the IPCC for recognising these emerging voices and extend our gratitude to Professor Mycoo on her appointment to two reports this cycle as well as her outstanding contributions, which continue to elevate our region’s critical work in this vital area.”

As the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change, the IPCC produces comprehensive assessment reports every five to seven years. For the current assessment cycle, the IPCC received 3,771 nominations worldwide from governments and observer organisations before selecting experts for authorship.

“The inclusion of UWI scientists in this distinguished group,” says a statement from the university, “signals our ongoing commitment to advancing climate research of global relevance.”