Is emphasising consensus in climate science helpful for policymaking?

This essay challenges the established view that emphasising the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change is a necessary precursor to effective policymaking. I argue that three underlying assumptions of this established view are fundamentally flawed. The first flawed assumption is that the content of the scientific consensus—i.e. that humans cause global warming—is important. Second is that public awareness of the scientific consensus is consequential. The third false assumption is that acceptance of the consensus provides a necessary precursor for policy progress on climate change. I conclude by reflecting on the need to move away from consensus messaging through localising climate change engagement and by developing a broader understanding of the relationship between climate science and climate politics.