Effective Communication of Research Based Knowledge

Publication Date: 23 January 2012

Author(s): Rajendra K Pachauri

Abstract:

The month of January this year has seen unusually cold weather not only in North India but even in the South. A single season or isolated weather event does not in any way reflect any link with human induced climate change. However, the observations and trends established in recent decades provide robust and credible conclusions on an increase in certain types of extreme events as a result of climate change. This has been brought out clearly in IPCC's recently released Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. Unfortunately, the general public regards climate change as purely a case of global warming. I believe that the term "global warming" has probably created more misunderstanding than clarity, because the lay public obviously believes that human actions are only resulting in the warming of the climate and therefore any deviation from a warming trend is a basis for refuting the scientific evidence of the human hand in changing the earth's climate. All this raises an important generic view about the ability of researchers, scientists and academics being able to communicate their knowledge to the general public who necessarily has to take initiatives for implementing solutions to the problem of climate change. We in TERI have a long way to go in becoming a successful communications oriented organization, capable of effective, regular and relevant communication for the benefit of the outside world and hence to our own benefit as members of human society. When we started TERI's research in 1982, I was very particular that we should stay away from projecting our work to inform the public, and in general we should shun any publicity. But the world has changed and so has the size and spread of TERI's activities. And we now have a need, in fact a responsibility, to disseminate the results of our work effectively. 

Publisher/Organisation: TERI

Source: TERI Intranet