My Climate Risk was well represented at the WCRP Open Science Conference in Kigali, both in-person and online. The only formal MCR event was the Learning Lab, “Democratizing climate science: Making it meaningful at local scales”, led by the Argentina hub with assistance from several other MCR hubs.
It was the highlight of the week so far as MCR was concerned and gave MCR a clear sense of self-identity within the WCRP context. There will be a detailed report on the outcomes of the Learning Lab in due course. But there were also over 30 papers presented from MCR hubs and SSG members, with nearly all hubs represented, and many MCR members were also session convenors. For those of us who were in Kigali, it was the first time to meet in person with many of our MCR colleagues from around the world who we had previously known only online. There was an active MCR WhatsApp group where people would cheer each other on and share reflections. Altogether it felt very much like a family reunion! Because of the packed schedule we were unable to get a group photo so instead went for a collage of small-group photos, which anyway reflects how MCR operates. (Unfortunately, this still did not catch everybody.) There was a definite sense in Kigali that climate science needs to change to be more bottom-up, and that MCR is leading by example in that respect. Thus, we felt very energized by the experience.
Regina & Ted