Pandemic shows that global climate and biodiversity science assessments need to be annual

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated that with daily data informing citizens and governments of the situation, society can respond to a crisis rapidly. We suggest that the current multi-yearly assessments of the, by comparison, chronic crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are no longer fit for purpose. Instead, annual assessments (as is standard for governmental budgets, commercial and personal taxes) are now required. As with COVID-19 data, the annual progress reports proposed here must be accompanied by new biodiversity and climate data that are both timely and open access, thus supporting scientific advice. With public transparency and accessibility of facts and figures, annual reports will lead to more accountability and progress in addressing the causes of these crises.