Although economists work to better understand and model the interactions between climate change and the economy, many do not factor in all the latest scientific evidence, disregarding sensitive ‘tipping points’ in the climate system, and overlooking the market impacts of climate-induced hazards such as flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat. We must urgently create bridges between science and finance.

Climate change is a growing threat to human wellbeing, environmental ecosystems, and the entire planet. The alarming warming trends continue and the evidence for human activity driving global change is only becoming stronger. But, while warning of the damage that lies in our future, climate expert Professor David Karoly assures us “we can limit it to avoid complete catastrophe.”

While consumers might express concerns for the environmental impacts of disposable plastic bottles, these do not translate to major changes in purchasing behaviour. In other words, knowing that plastic bottles pollute our environment isn’t enough to stop people buying water in plastic bottles. Without intervention, the popularity of bottled water seems unlikely to weaken.

Because gender stereotypes have portrayed certain STEMM fields as masculine, leading to fewer women studying and working in STEMM, these fields tend to sustain exclusionary, male-dominated cultures that are not supportive of or attractive to women and other underrepresented groups. It is a perpetual cycle that we need to break.

How might the challenges of belonging faced by queer scientists shape their unique contributions? Why do we continue to erase their histories from the narrative of scientific discovery? Uncovering hidden figures combats the ongoing lie that only a narrow few can do great science. They offer a powerful counter-narrative to the myth that science is the domain of straight, cis, white men.