The role of social sciences in finding solutions to long-term energy and environmental problems will only grow in importance as the world works to meet its future energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, participants at the opening day of the annual Science and Technology in Society forum said Sunday.

The three-day meeting brings together hundreds of the world's leading scientific researchers, engineers and science policymakers.

As preparations continue for the December COP21 United Nations climate change conference in Paris, where the goal is a new international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases after 2020, STS members spoke about the need to develop long-lasting solutions to address climate change and other problems.