8 NOVEMBER 2013 VOL 342 SCIENCE www.sciencemag.org 696 POLICYFORUM I nforming the extensive preparations needed to manage climate risks, avoid damages, and realize emerging opportu- nities is a grand challenge for climate change science. U.S. President Obama underscored the need for this research when he made cli- mate preparedness a pillar of his climate pol- icy. Adaptation improves preparedness and is one of two broad and increasingly important strategies (along with mitigation) for climate risk management. Adaptation is required in virtually all sectors of the economy and regions of the globe, for both built and natu- ral systems ( 1). However, without the appropriate sci- ence delivered in a decision-relevant con- text, it will become increasingly difficult—if not impossible—to prepare adequately ( 2). We suggest a number of measures to has- ten the development of science to correct maladaptations to current climate variabil- ity and support society’s increasing need to adapt to a changing climate, drawing on les- sons from experience, insights from related endeavors such as sustainability science ( 3), and input from scientific and stakeholder communities. Adaptation Planning, Information Gaps, and the Need for Adaptation Science Initial adaptation planning is occurring in some sectors, such as water resource man- agement, forestry, insurance, and coastal zone management. A limited but growing number of states and cities are develop- ing adaptation plans. U.S. federal agencies have implemented sustainability plans that include mitigation and adaptation ( 4). There are serious science gaps, how- ever ( 5, 6). In many communities, decision- makers lack climate information or the means to apply it. In others, knowledge of current or potential future impacts exists, but not in a form or context that decision-makers can assimilate or act on in advance. In still others, engineering innovations are needed, as well as social science knowledge, to guide technology deployment and adjustments to management, investments, and public policy. A key characteristic of emerging adapta- tion science is that it is both basic—in that it contributes to understanding fundamen- tal physical, environmental, and socioeco- nomic research questions—and applied, because it is problem focused. Scientists and practitioners “coproduce” relevant research by jointly defining questions and maintain- ing frequent interactions ( 7). Coproduction is challenging to implement and sustain because participants often have different roles, vocabularies, interests, methods, and incentives. The effectiveness of communica- tions and deliberative processes among sci- entists and practitioners requires empirical evaluation ( 8). To support the wide range of necessary adjustments, we outline a comprehensive, integrated approach to research in social, physical, environmental, engineering, and other sciences. We describe adapta- tion science research needed to under- stand decision processes and informa- tion requirements, identify vulnerabilities, improve foresight about climate risks and other stressors, and understand barriers and options for adaptation. Understand Decision Processes and Knowledge Requirements Adaptation science research must clar- ify what types of scientific information are required for improved decision-making. Decision-makers are concerned with cost, feasibility, social acceptance, tradition, and other factors. To close a “usability gap,” sci- entific information must fit into existing con- texts ( 9). Organizational, cognitive, political, ethnographic, and decision sciences research is needed to clarify the problem, the values of participants, and the context in which the information will be applied. Understand- ing perception and apprehension of climate change risks is also a priority. Identify Vulnerabilities Research to characterize vulnerability and adaptive capacity focuses on pinpoint- ing infrastructure, economic sectors, geo- Hell and High Water: Practice- Relevant Adaptation Science CLIMATE CHANGE R. H. Moss,* † G. A. Meehl, M. C. Lemos, J. B. Smith, J. R. Arnold, J. C. Arnott, D. Behar, G. P. Brasseur, S. B. Broomell, A. J. Busalacchi, S. Dessai, K. L. Ebi, J. A. Edmonds, J. Furlow, L. Goddard, H. C. Hartmann, J. W. Hurrell, J. W. Katzenberger, D. M. Liverman, P. W. Mote, S. C. Moser, A. Kumar, R. S. Pulwarty, E. A. Seyller, B. L. Turner II, W. M. Washington, T. J. Wilbanks Adaptation requires science that analyzes decisions, identifies vulnerabilities, improves foresight, and develops options. CREDIT: STAN HONDA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/NEWSCOM *Full affiliations for all authors are provided in the supplementary materials. †Corresponding author. E-mail: rhm@pnnl.gov The entrance to a garage in Lower Manhattan on 31 October, 2012, as New York City began clean-up after Hurricane Sandy. Published by AAAS on December 19, 2013 www.sciencemag.org Downloaded from on December 19, 2013 www.sciencemag.org Downloaded from on December 19, 2013 www.sciencemag.org Downloaded from