The next phase of climate attribution

Journal

Nature Partner Journals Climate Action

Authors

Marc J. Alessi, Carly A. Phillips, L. Delta Merner, Christopher W. Callahan, Joyce Kimutai, Noah Walker-Crawford*, Jameela Joy Reyes* & Erika Spanger 

*The starred authors are contributors from the Grantham Research Institute

Abstract

Attribution science has transformed our understanding of how anthropogenic emissions shape extreme weather events, yet the field remains constrained by repeatedly demonstrating anthropogenic influence. The authors propose a normative shift that acknowledges the scientific consensus that anthropogenic climate change has fundamentally altered the atmosphere-ocean system. Incorporating this normative shift into how we design and conduct attribution science will be key for combatting climate disinformation and advancing climate justice.

DOI: 10.1038/s44168-026-00432-9