The IPCC releases its Working Group II Sixth Assessment Report on Monday the 28th of February.
This report synthesizes research about how climate change has been affecting societies, sectors and ecosystems, and what’s in store for the future. It’s likely to be a sobering assessment of climate change risks and vulnerability, but also the opportunities and benefits of pursuing adaptation alongside emission reductions.
Join our panel of four expert authors in this two-part webinar series providing a briefing and discussion on the report findings and what they means for Australia. This event is proudly presented by the NESP Climate Systems Hub and the Griffith Climate Action Beacon.
Part 1: Australasia impacts and projected risks on Wednesday 2nd March 1pm (AEDT)
with Sarah Boulter (Chair), Brendan Mackey, Gretta Pecl.
Part 2: Key risks and adaptation responses on Friday 4th March 1pm (AEDT)
with Brendan Mackey (Chair), Kevin Hennessy, Lauren Rickards.
Submit your questions here before the event here.
Panellists:
Professor Brendan Mackey is an expert in climate change, forest ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, terrestrial carbon dynamic and the application of Geographical Information System, remote sensing and environmental modelling to problems of environment and climate change. He is Director of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon and the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. Brendan is Coordinating Lead Author of the Australasia Chapter for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Working Group II – impacts, vulnerability & adaptation.
Professor Gretta Pecl is a marine ecologist at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), and the Director of the Centre for Marine Socioecology (CMS) at UTAS. She has deep expertise exploring the impact of climate change on natural systems, and developing adaptation options for conservation, fisheries and aquaculture. She is a Lead Author for the IPCC AR6 Working Group II report, an Australian Research Council ‘Future Fellow’, and has a passion for science communication and engagement with the public
Professor Lauren Rickards is a human geographer by training who specializes in examining the social dimensions of climate change, particularly in the water and agri-food sectors and with collaborators in other disciplines and organisations. Director of the Urban Futures platform at RMIT University, Lauren advises a wide range of groups in government, business and the NGO sector on climate change issues and is a Lead Author of the IPCC Working Group II chapter on Australasia.
Mr Kevin Hennessy is has been involved in climate change research for almost 35 years. He spent 30 years at CSIRO and is now a consultant. His expertise is in regional climate projections for Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. This includes climate products and services that raise awareness and inform impact assessment for decision-making. He was a lead author of the IPCC Working Group 2 chapter on Australasia.
Associate Professor Sarah Boulter is the Climate Adaptation Initiative lead for the NESP program. Sarah has spent the last decade building and supporting climate adaptation research and practice in Australia. Sarah’s research focuses on the impacts of climate change and building capacity to adapt. She has worked with the health, biodiversity, defence and infrastructure sectors to support, develop and implement climate change adaptation strategies. Sarah has contributed to the IPCC Working Group fifth and sixth assessment reports.