Climate change symposium

27 March 2009

Western Australia’s marine environmental future will come under the microscope by some of Australia’s most senior scientists today.

A snapshot into climate change and its effects on WA is the theme of A changing climate: Western Australia in focus, a symposium dedicated entirely to the latest research and predicted environmental effects for the state.

Marine life, land life, weather patterns, wind, storms, coral reefs, the coastline, the atmosphere, fish life, birds, biodiversity, changes in ocean currents, changes in large-scale ocean movements and ocean acidification will be examined.

“The effects of climate change are expected to have a huge impact on WA’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems and our environment,” Dr Peter Rogers, Chairman of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) Board, said.

“Organisations, institutions and agencies are carrying out a range of research activities which are directly relevant to climate change and its impacts.”

The symposium will be opened by WA’s Chief Scientist, Professor Lyn Beazley.

The conference has been sponsored by WAMSI, CSIRO, The University of Western Australia, the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society and the Bureau of Meteorology with support from Landgate.Keynote speakers are Dr Bryson Bates from CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship and Steve Waller from the WA Office of Climate Change.

Other speakers include the Premier’s Fellow on Climate Change, Professor Malcolm McCulloch, who will speak about the effect on coral reefs and fish, and Professor Matthew England from the University of New South Wales who will speak about the effect of weather patterns on rainfall in countries on the Indian Ocean rim.

Private industry and State Government agency representatives will also give presentations.

For more information contact:
Sue McKenna, WAMSI Communications Manager 0424 196 771
Dr Steve Blake, WAMSI Chief Executive Officer 0409 183 277