Forging resilience in a fractured world: science diplomacy for energy, food, and water security

Abstract

Here in 2025, we are living in a time of extraordinary disruption. A confluence of forces, including climate variability, population growth, technological shifts, and geopolitical tensions is reshaping global societies and challenging the capacity of institutions to address urgent, interconnected problems. For those of us in research and higher education, this era is marked by a worrying decline in trust in experts and deep societal divisions that challenge the very social license of our institutions. These existential disruptions are not abstract; they directly threaten our collective ability to address the urgent, interconnected challenges of energy, food, and water sustainability, which form the bedrock of climate resilience. These interconnections make building climate resilience increasingly complex, demanding integrated solutions informed by robust evidence and cross-sectoral collaboration. 1 In this volatile landscape, we argue for the application of science diplomacy as a mitigation. Science Diplomacy is the use of scientific collaboration to advance diplomatic objectives and solve shared problems. This emerges not as a lofty ideal, but as an essential tool for survival and progress. Yet, this vital tool is itself at risk and has long been framed as a tool to transcend political divides.