Journal of Science Policy & Governance | Volume 18, Issue 03 | August 30, 2021

Policy Position Paper: Reimagining the U.S. Global Change Research Program to Support Equitable Community Engagement Using a Disability Lens

Keywords: USGCRP; climate equity and justice; disability lens; models of disability; universal design
Executive Summary: The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP or “the Program”) is at a pivotal moment in its evolution as it works to develop its next decadal strategy. Constrained by an outdated mandate and facing an increasing demand for actional and usable climate information, the Program has an opportunity to re-envision its already robust participatory mechanisms to improve engagement with historically marginalized communities. The disability community is acutely sensitive to Earth’s changing climate, facing threats from extreme weather, in addition to enhanced risks due to systematic ableism in our policy and planning spaces. However, the disability community can also be a critical source of innovative ideas and inclusive practices that can ensure the climate documents guiding future policy development are just and equitable. By adopting a disability lens in its strategy update plans, the Program can ensure that the climate information it provides to local and regional decision-makers through the National Climate Assessment process supports future U.S. climate policy with the tenets of justice and equity at the core. In particular, the Program should revise its community engagement framework guided by 1) the social model of disability, 2) narratives from within the disability community, and 3) ideas of universal design.

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Adria Schwarber is a climate scientist working in science policy. She is currently an analyst with FYI: Science Policy News at the American Institute of Physics, where she reports on science policy developments and creates actionable resources for the physical sciences community. Originally from Kentucky, she earned her Ph.D. in atmospheric and oceanic science from the University of Maryland, College Park.
 
Acknowledgements
The author would like to acknowledge the contributions of Krystal Vasquez, Ph.D. Candidate at the California Institute of Technology, and Valerie Novack, Disability Policy Fellow at Center for American Progress, in the formulation of an earlier version of this manuscript. The author would also like to acknowledge Alex Ghenis, Director of Accessible Climate Strategies, for helping in the ideation phase of the writing process. 
 
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