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Earth’s climate and biodiversity is changing at an unprecedented rate due to human activity. The deteriorating effects of this rapid change, illustrated by extreme weather, changing agricultural conditions, ocean acidification, ecosystem collapse, rising sea levels, and the psychological impact of all these events, have reached an alarming level. Climate change and biodiversity loss are topping the political agendas on the national and international levels as their impacts are threatening the economic and political stability.

Universities and research institutions in the Netherlands as well as in most of the developed countries have taken a solution-based approach to mitigating the risks of climate change. However, many scientists and scholars are warning us that the scale of the necessary change is often underestimated, and all the praised scientific developments might come too late or be too risky. Historically, the physics community has been at the forefront of tackling big societal developments such as international conflicts, rapid technological advances in communications, and understanding complex systems such as climate and ecosystems.

At the Annual Dutch Physics conference, a focus session is moderated by Sanli Faez, member of the Utrecht Young Academy and Science faculty member, to address this central question: is the Physics community ready for taking its role in the rapidly escalating climate crisis, and the related technological and societal challenges?

The four panelists who will engage in this discussion are:

• , Professor at ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� of Lausanne, Ecological Economics
• Detlef van Vuuren, Professor at UU and Senior researcher at PBL
• , Professor at UvA and Scientific Group Leader at AMOLF
• , Assoc. professor at UU and Senior researcher “Climate and Water” at Deltares

Looking at the question from different disciplinary viewpoints, these prominent scientists will share their insights on readiness of the Physics community and the priorities that have to be set. Are the presented technological solutions sufficient to meet the goals of the Paris agreement? Can these technologies be scaled up in time? Should the Physics community alter its approach and focus on these tremendous challenges we face, or have we done enough already? What is the role of the physics curriculum and should it be adapted to the new demands of a society in (energy) transition?

The session will be livestreamed from the .