19 May 2004

Responding to Global Change

The highly topical issue of global change will be discussed by leading scientists from across the country at a one day symposium to be held in Wellington on 26 May.

The symposium, organised by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, will highlight how the research funded by the Foundation is helping to define the issue of global change, as well as pointing to ways forward.

The event will feature research leaders from throughout the country who will present the work they are carrying out. Group discussions will also be held on policy implications and future research needs and priorities.

A diverse range of topics will be discussed at the symposium, including research around the impact of the Kyoto agreement. Dr Suzi Kerr, director and senior fellow at Motu: Economic and Public Policy Research in New Zealand, will present research into domestic and international emissions trading issues with particular emphasis on land use and climate change.

Research into the history of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the history of global change that is recorded in Antarctic sediments will be presented by Dr Tim Naish, Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences, Professor Peter Barrett, Antarctic Research Centre Victoria University and Dr Gary Wilson, Department of Geology, Otago University. Dr Richard Warrick, deputy director of the International Institute of Global Change at the University of Waikato, will discuss findings on the human side of global change, for example what stops individuals and institutions responding effectively, and what can be done to reduce vulnerability to climatic risks.

Members of the public are welcome to attend. The symposium is being held at the Ilott Theatre in the Wellington Town Hall on Wednesday 26 May from 9am to 5pm. There is a nominal registration fee of $50 to cover costs.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

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