Dr. Joyce Kimutai a Kenyan Scientist is the only African member of the National Academy of Sciences committee in the USA working on an attribution science report.

The role of science is crucial in informing climate actions, as highlighted in a conversation with Kenyan scientist Dr. Joyce Kimutai, an Attribution Scientist at the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London.

The scientific community has faced mixed reactions regarding climate predictions: some believe in them and take proactive steps, while others deny these forecasts, resulting in losses, disruptions of livelihoods, and, at times, casualties from natural hazards like droughts and floods.

For Dr. Kimutai, Attribution science is a journey that began with her passion for the environment, following inspiration from her homeland in Eldoret, Rift Valley.

Intrigued by aspects like rain formation and an enthusiasm favored by her Geography high school teacher, who would often remark that whatever we do to the environment somehow comes back to us. This passion would lead her to pursue an undergraduate degree in Meteorology from the University of Nairobi.

After campus, she would secure a job in finance, however, her dream itched prompting her to search for a place in science. Eventually, this dream would be realized in 2015 when she joined the Kenya Meteorological Department(KMD).

Upon arrival at the KMD, Dr. Kimutai would go for a focus on climate change through a scientific aspect, which led her to attain her Master’s and PhD in Attribution Science. These accolades have deemed her the first African female Attribution Scientist of her caliber.

The scientific field, despite being a male-dominated arena, requires a confident mindset and the courage to voice ideas. Dr. Kimutai explains that her work focuses on climate change attribution science, aiming to support policy-making and inform decisions.

“Being a woman isn’t easy, especially an African woman on these international platforms. You have to be equipping yourself and constantly seek knowledge. Being confident and surpassing victim mentality has been key for my ascension in the science space,” she reveals.

Dr. Kimutai encourages young scientists, mostly women, to actively participate in global platforms and contribute their knowledge to addressing climate challenges. Urging the African scientists, experts, and negotiators to believe in their knowledge.

The Significance of Climate Science
Climate science, entailing the study of Earth’s climate including weather patterns has become a key to preparing for the future.  It facilitates preparation through anticipation, making it a tool that should inform policymaking and action.

“Our continent’s location together with season-season and year-to-year variability causes it to warm faster than any other region in the world. This is exhibited by the heightened impacts of climate change due to recurrent and intense multi-hazard events. While we are vulnerable, there is a need to demonstrate the linkage between these hazards, impacts, and the exacerbation of vulnerability,” says Dr. Kimutai.

She emphasizes that climate science has become crucial now more than ever, as it enhances our understanding and enables the prediction of natural hazards and climate shocks.

However, despite the significance of science, the continent lags in representation at international forums and dialogues, which poses a notable constraint. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change two years ago called for more researchers, experts, and scientists, leading to improved representation in the Sixth Assessment Cycle compared to the Fifth.

“It’s important that Africa authors are part of the solutions to these issues, and seek answers from within. African solutions for African problems by Africans is an approach that will enhance deeply rooted solutions,” she said.

Collective action is essential to utilize climate science for tangible change, requiring efforts to increase representation and enhance the quality of contributions. In a concerted effort, she believes that climate actions can excel when they resonate more with people.

Dr. Kimutai urges collaboration between governments, institutions, learners, and communities. This stride emboldens unified actions and reduces misinformation, as there is clear, accurate, and factual information presented in accessible ways to improve preparedness. Proactive communication, she adds, will deepen understanding of climate impacts and protect vulnerable communities.

Dr. Kimutai emphasizes that actionable information enables the development of strategic plans.
Through collaboration, she believes meaningful actions can foster resilience. Making information actionable will strengthen partnerships between scientists, policymakers, and communities to enhance preparedness.

An example is a joint project with the Nairobi County Government on heat action plans, including public sensitization and the construction of shelters. She explains how heat disrupts physiological functioning, noting that limited understanding worsens suffering among chronic patients during such events.

Scientific Data Accessibility is Key

In her recent paper, Compounding Natural Hazards and Higher Vulnerability Led to Severe Impacts from Horn of Africa Flooding Exacerbated by Climate Change and Indian Ocean Dipole, she emphasizes climate change as a threat multiplier, intensifying events like El Niño and La Niña.

“Climate has no borders—‘teleconnection’ means warming or cooling seas or Oceans alter wind patterns and moisture distribution, affecting distant regions,” she explained.

She calls for stronger ties between research institutions and governments to help scientists publish affordably. Scientific data must be accessible, comprehensible, and actionable. Revealing that high journal costs and restricted access hinder progress, reflecting on such challenges and capitalist barriers in global climate negotiations.

“Stalemates in treaties on plastics, loss, and damage funding, and biodiversity exemplify self-interest over collective good. This breeds mistrust and disconnects us from nature,” says Dr. Kimutai.

She criticizes the empty commitments witnessed in the United Nations conventions toward the end of 2024 ranging from biodiversity talks to climate financing conversations and Loss and Damage talks. Her call is for the adoption of binding multilateral agreements to protect vulnerable communities.

Reflecting on COP 29, she described frustration over unmet financial pledges: “The 200 billion quoted earlier in COP 29 for the New Collective Quantified Goal fell short of 1.3 trillion needed. In addition, securing only $300 billion undermines sustained climate action.”

She recommends aligning negotiators with existing science and research to unify messaging and improve future outcomes. Calling for more engagements between scientist experts and negotiators in unison when it comes to negotiations.