Latest climate science on show at conference

Latest climate science on show at conference

Climate scientists and researchers from New Zealand and overseas will meet this week for the New Zealand Climate Change Conference 2013.

The conference, from June 4-5 at the Palmerston North Convention Centre, will showcase the latest climate change research thinking and outputs. It is organised by the New Zealand Climate Change Centre.

Presentations will be grouped in four key areas: physical sciences; impacts, vulnerability and adaptation; mitigation; and integration and crosscutting issues.

Professor Dave Frame of the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute, Professor Barry Smit from the University of Guelph in Canada, Dr Andy Reisinger from the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre and Professor Jon Barnett from Melbourne University will give keynote addresses.

Professor Frame will discuss progress in understanding the physics of climate change, including modern observations and climate modelling. Professor Smit’s talk will cover climate change impacts and vulnerability and include examples of adaptation undertaken by individuals, businesses and governments.

Dr Reisinger will discuss the global and national challenges associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Professor Barnett will consider differences between social groups in attitudes to climate change and the role of government, and ways of improving the science – policy dialogue.

The conference also features speakers from many other organisations including NIWA, Massey University, Landcare Research, Victoria University, GNS Science, Plant and Food Research, AgResearch, Scion, the Cawthron Institute, Motu Economic and Policy Research, the University of California and Otago University.

Conference convener and director of the New Zealand Climate Change Centre Dr David Wratt says the conference provides a forum for researchers to present the latest research and information.

“The recent drought really brings it home to us that New Zealand activities and GDP are affected by climate,” he says. “So hearing from our researchers about how climate is likely to change, options for adapting, and ways of reducing emissions is very timely. The conference is also an opportunity to discuss collaboration across the research community and with those who will be affected by climate change, to address some very challenging issues.”

The New Zealand Climate Change Centre is a joint initiative by all of New Zealand’s Crown Research Institutes, Massey University, the University of Canterbury and Victoria University of Wellington.

More information about the conference, including the programme, speakers and topics can be found here: http://www.nzcccconference.org/home.

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