Climate Change Down Under
We are all familiar with the arguments about rising carbon levels and global warming. Oceans are becoming more acidic, reefs are being bleached and the country is in the grip of the worst drought on record. What is different about this seminar is that the speakers look at the long term history of the climate and consider the fascinating lessons this has for today and the future.
Speakers have a specific focus on Queensland outlining very practically what climate change has meant and what it will mean for Queensland. However, they also consider the wider Australian and world context.
Get a fresh view of the "big picture" of climate change as it affects all Queenslanders by watching highlights of the seminar on this page.
Want to know more? Download the Climate Change Down Under Information Booklet [new window 225 KB PDF] for background, presentation abstracts and speaker biographies, resources and links.
Date: Saturday 1 September 2007
Where: Queensland Museum South Bank Theatre
Webcast: Seminar Highlights
Tipping into action
Speaker: Mr. Richard Cassels, Queensland Museum Hon. Research Fellow (Environmental History & Sustainable Futures)
The records of the past show us how dangerous climate change can be when the climate "tips" from one state to another- sometimes very rapidly. Current climate change is so serious because of the many natural ecosystems that are already near breaking point, and because of the number of people and the amount of human infrastructure that will be at risk. But there is plenty that can be done, and a fundamental "tipping" of human behaviour is also occurring now.
Duration: 3:07 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
Climate Change and Nature
Serious and rapid climate change?
Speaker: Dr. Alex Cook, Senior Curator, Geosciences, Queensland Museum
Has climate change happened before? Yes, the climate changes all the time. From a geological point of view our planet Earth has been much hotter and much colder in the past than at present. For example, the planet was once almost completely covered in ice. These extreme climates of the past exceed anything we are projecting as part of the present global warming. So, from a geological point of view, climatic changes like this are not exceptional; however from a human point of view they are extremely serious.
Duration: 7:04 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
Climate change in Queensland's wet tropics
Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Steve Williams, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville
Why is climate change such a serious threat to the biodiversity of tropical rainforests of North Queensland? This biodiversity is of world significance. Most species have some capacity to adapt to changing climate, but as the climate warms, many species will move up mountains as their habitats shrink. Eventually many of them will have no place to go.
Duration: 6:15 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
Recipe for killing a reef
Speaker: Prof. Terry Hughes, James Cook University, Townsville.
Coral reefs have survived many climatic changes in the past. However this time it is different. We have created the perfect recipe for killing a reef. It is time to dispel t he romantic myth that the ocean is less impacted by humankind than the earth. Human fishing has completely unbalanced marine ecosystems, unlike terrestrial ecosystems where at least wild animals have been partly replaced by domestic ones. In addition we have added pollution and sedimentation to the marine environment. Under these circumstances, reefs will find it very difficult to adapt to the current climate change. There is perhaps a 20 year window of opportunity allowing us to take action right now — but the window is quickly narrowing.
Duration: 6:25 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
Climate Change in the Human Period
The Ice Age cometh?
Speaker: Mr. Mike Rowland, Principal Archaeologist, Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit, Department of Natural Resources and Water.
The idea that humans contribute to environmental change is not new. Even in Aristotle's time it was understood that the clearing of forests was having an effect on the climate. Aboriginal people in Australia survived the enormous climatic changes of the last ice age - including the sea level falling and then rising by 100 metres. Perhaps we can be optimistic about the human capacity to adapt to climate change. The science is still complex. Not long ago it was even suggested that our biggest problem might be the return of the next ice age!
Duration: 4:04 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
A warning on our doorstep
Speaker: Dr. Hamish McGowan, University of Queensland.
New scientific research carried out on Brisbane's doorstep (North Stradbroke Island) has given us exciting new information about the climate in South East Queensland over the past 40 000 years. At times there have been droughts even more prolonged and severe than the current one. Climate change in Queensland is clearly linked to global climate change; we would be wise to take notice of local findings.
Duration: 6:43 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
Responding to Climate Change
Government faces up to climate change
Speaker: Andrew Zuch, Principal Policy Officer, Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence, Department of Natural Resources and Water.
Climate change means that the Queensland State Government is faced with many complex decisions. It has undertaken extensive community consultation. This is a period of rapid socio-political change. The Government has presented its Climate Smart 2050 policy and other initiatives affecting virtually all departments and areas of life. Practical steps will be rolled out on an on-going basis.
Duration: 5:51 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
No emergency exits
Speaker: Mr Lloyd Stumer, Climate presenter, Australian Conservation Foundation; meteorologist, wind farmer.
There are no emergency exits on our planet — we are here for good and we need to act fast to prevent excessive climate change. If we do nothing we will be on a collision path with disaster. But the message is not getting through that we DO have sustainable resources in Queensland. Lloyd used to be a climate change sceptic, but not any more. Now he is trying to develop a wind farm in northern Queensland. There are still many institutional issues to address that reinforce the status quo and obstruct people trying to develop renewable energy in Queensland.
Duration: 6:36 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
Upsetting the balance
Speaker: Prof. Ian Lowe, President Australian Conservation Foundation.
When you upset the balance of life everything is affected. We must act and plan now. Adaptation, mitigation and education are all vital.
Power stations have short lives. Now is the time to reconsider the power stations that we are planning to build for the future. If nuclear power is the answer it must have been a very silly question! Let us imagine a hypothetical case of a government that actually WANTED to increase global warming. It's frightening how close this scenario is to reality. We have to change our thinking as well as the way we do things.
Duration: 7:38 minutes
Windows media: dialup or broadband
