New opportunities in Cuba and elsewhere are quickly opening up for scientific collaboration, but persistence and relationship-building are key to sustaining science diplomacy over the long haul, experts said at a AAAS conference.

National Park Week runs April 18–26 this year. Visit a park near you to celebrate!

A panel of distinguished scientists, appearing at a Capitol Hill briefing organized by AAAS, surveyed a broad range of data and research that affirm a clear human link to global climate disruptions.

While climate change science has been subject to sometimes vitriolic attacks in recent months, the briefing took a tempered tone. The speakers emphasized the value of bucking conventional scientific wisdom, but showed that the arguments commonly used by climate change skeptics tend to fall apart when subjected to close scrutiny.