Combining the general and the specific for urban science and policy

As the world's population becomes more and more urban, cities are emerging as key components of the Anthropocene—both as major contributors to climate change and as potential trendsetters for innovation and action. But in order to understand the role of cities in the Earth system and chart sustainable pathways to the future, researchers face a daunting challenge: integrating diverse interdisciplinary data and translating the findings into effective, equitable policy.