In a recent article, PhD student Lina Leon, ain collaboration with PhD. Andrés Virguez and PhD. Lyssa Freese, address the significance of a more equitable representation of the Global South in the field of climate sciences. The research, published in one of the leading journals in the field, examines the volume of scientific publications produced in the top 10 most influential journals in this area, revealing a limited representation of countries from the Global South, with the exception of China.

The research team also discusses the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to end affirmative action in college admissions, which could jeopardize the ability of higher education institutions to attract members from underrepresented minorities. This sets a concerning precedent that other countries might follow.

Based on an analysis contrasting the perspectives of the Global South with the challenges faced by the Global North in terms of climate mitigation, the authors issue a call to action directed at senior leaders in the higher education sector and scientific societies. They urge the implementation of immediate reforms to facilitate equitable access to science, empower local perspectives, and provide pathways for members of historically underrepresented groups to access the necessary resources to pursue scientific careers in climate sciences.

For more details about this study and the proposed reforms, please consult the complete article at Link.