Australia’s climate is already becoming hotter, more extreme and uncertain, and it’s projected to become increasingly inhospitable and dangerous unless we take transformative, timely and positive action. For example, climate change has been a major factor in driving the unprecedented scale and severity of the 2019/20 bushfires.
Research shows that the majority of Australians believe that global warming is a serious and pressing problem. Despite this, as a society, we are not acting with the urgency required to limit global warming to 1.5°C or even 2°C. Nor are we preparing climate adaptation responses to the degree needed to manage the emerging risks.
ANU Climate Update 2020 will present an overview of how our climate is changing in Australia and around the world and how we can respond to these changes. You’ll hear from climate experts and those both researching and driving the transition to a low carbon society. The event will bring together policymakers, business people, researchers, students, media and the wider community.
Part 1 will provide a global overview of how our climate changed in 2019, including a focus on extreme events and health impacts.
Part 2 will discuss ideas for how we can transition to a low carbon future.
Program
2.15pm onwards – Registrations
2.45pm – 4.40pm – Part 1 – State of the Climate
Opening Address – speaker TBC
Global Climate Overview 2019 – Prof Mark Howden, Director, ANU Climate Change Institute
Climate impacts: Extreme Events – Dr Robert Glasser, Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Climate impacts: Health – Dr Arnagretta Hunter, ANU College of Health and Medicine
Audience Q&A
4.40 – 5.20pm – Afternoon tea
5.20 – 6.45pm – Part 2 – Transitioning to a low carbon future
Chair: Prof Michael Platow, Research School of Psychology, ANU
Communicating with psychologically complex creatures – Dr Bec Colvin, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU
The role of different groups in driving the transition – Associate Prof Carolyn Hendriks, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU
Transition at a community level – Verity Morgan-Schmidt, Farmers for Climate Action
6.45 – 7.30pm – Drinks