Dear colleagues,

We hope you’re all doing well and staying safe during these very difficult times. Our climate research community, probably more than most, realize that once we get through CoVid, we have a much bigger trial addressing many challenges associated with mitigation and adaptation to climate change. To achieve many of those goals, we are guest editing a special focus edition of the environmental research letters journal titled

'Is Environmental Science Failing Society? Strategies for Rapid Progress on Climate Action'https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1748-9326/page/Rapid_Progress_on_Climate_Action

Guest Editors James Byrneapplewebdata://D2110F69-53B2-4F84-B49D-445E283E31AA/byrne@uleth.ca University of Lethbridge; Gabrielle Dreyfushttp://getgabby@gmail.com Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development; Helen Frickerhttp://hafricker@ucsd.edu University of California, San Diego; Roland Kroebelapplewebdata://D2110F69-53B2-4F84-B49D-445E283E31AA/Roland.Kroebel@canada.ca Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Edward Maibachhttp://emaibach@gmu.edu George Mason University; Chris Rapleyapplewebdata://D2110F69-53B2-4F84-B49D-445E283E31AA/chris.g.rapley@ucl.ac.uk University College London

Scope A seminal publication just over 20 years ago called on the environmental science community to undertake examinations of critical goals to ensure 'useful' services to society (Lubchenco 1998). That paper stated the needs of society included more comprehensive information, understanding and technologies … 'to move toward a more sustainable biosphere – one which is ecologically sound, economically feasible, and socially just.' This required 'new fundamental research, faster and more effective transmission of new and existing knowledge to policy and decision-makers, and better communication of this knowledge to the public'. Over twenty years later, and confronted with a global climatic emergency, we must examine successes and failures, and develop strategies to break down existing barriers to progress. A rebalancing is required, from the 'discovery' to the 'delivery' of societal values and commitments. The focus collection will explore practical ways to accelerate societal action on climate change. Most focus collection articles are invited, but unsolicited contributions are also encouraged. If you believe you have a suitable research letter article in preparation please send your pre-submission query either to the journal publishing teamhttps://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1748-9326/page/contact-us or via the Guest Editors listed above. All full articles should then be submitted using our online submission form.

We welcome single or multi authored submissions to this focus addition of ERL. If you wish to contribute, or wish for more information, please check out the ERL website setup for this focus edition herehttps://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1748-9326/page/Rapid_Progress_on_Climate_Action or hyperlinked title above.

Due to the circumstances related to the current global COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that many of you suddenly are experiencing major changes to your lifestyle and working conditions which might be impacting your ability to meet the original deadline for the Special Issue. If this applies to you, please contact the us to arrange an extension to the deadline.