Removing Barriers: Open Science for Climate Change Solutions and Social Justice

Open science, which by necessity involves open access, is a meaningful way to bring research and insights to a global population. While seen as an expensive option in the past, new customs for sharing are evolving and preprint articles have taken on a greater role in the open science dialogue. The rapid development of a vaccine for COVID-19 can in large part be attributed to open science. Based on this success, we can anticipate that open science and open access when applied broadly and specifically to urgent issues such as climate change and social justice would produce similar breakthroughs. Libraries has long been proponents of open access; however, they are often seen as book repositories. Recognition of libraries are integral to the success of their communities and attention to the role of libraries as partners in the Sustainable Development Goals would lead to greater achievement of these goals.