Translating science for decision makers to help navigate the Anthropocene

Although scientists typically regard their work as finished with publication in an academic journal, in fact that is just the beginning if the goal is to help society solve problems. This is particularly true for the environmental sciences, in which a generation of scientists has documented that five interacting human impacts are causing undesirable planetary changes: climate change, extinctions, loss of ecosystems not dominated by humans, pollution, and overpopulation and consumption. Dealing with such issues requires active engagement of scientists with politicians and other leaders as well as the public-at-large. Here we report on the positive outcomes of one such engagement, The Scientific Consensus on Maintaining Humanity's Life Support Systems in the 21 st Century: Information for Policy Makers (http://consensusforaction.stanford.edu/), which was published in a previous issue of The Anthropocene Review. We suggest that effective communication outside the academic sphere will be increasingly important in navigating environmental challenges in the Anthropocene.