Science
11 December 2009  Vol 326, Issue 5959, Pages 1445-1576
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Editorial
Harmonizing Global Science
Alan I. Leshner1 and Vaughan Turekian2

Summary
Every major problem facing modern society now has a science and technology component—either as a cause or cure—whether it’s energy and the environment, access to water and fertile land, the spread of infectious diseases, or sustaining a viable economy. Although every societal problem has unique regional characteristics that require attention, there are sufficient implications across regions for which only globally coordinated efforts will be successful. The recent assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and their impacts on public and policy-maker perceptions provide one example of successful cooperation on a near-global scale. The betterment of humankind depends on a deliberate move from being an international community of scientists to being a truly global community.

1 Alan I. Leshner is the chief executive officer of AAAS and executive publisher of Science.
2 Vaughan Turekian is the chief international officer and director of the Center for Science Diplomacy of AAAS.