To download each speaker's presentations, click on the links below under Program

2020 was a year full of uncertainties. While the devastating 2019/20 fires that tore down the east coast placed a spotlight on Australia’s failure to address climate change, focus quickly shifted to the coronavirus pandemic that was rapidly spreading around the world.

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc and dominate news cycles, it’s crucial we take stock of the current state of climate change. What climate impacts have we witnessed in the past year and who has been most impacted? Are we on track to meet our climate targets? What can we do to respond more effectively?

Bringing together policymakers, industry, researchers and the wider community, the QLD Climate Update 2021 will present a locally-focused snapshot of the latest climate research. Hear from climate experts and those working on the climate change impacts on the coasts and oceans, and the legal mechanisms for protection of coastal properties and ecosystems. 

This event is co-presented by the University of Queensland Faculty of Science, and the Australian National University Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions.

Program:

- Global Climate Overview 2020 - Prof Mark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (PDF 1.67MB)

- Climate impacts: Coasts and Oceans  - Prof Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, ARC Centre for Excellence in Coral Reef Studies; School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland (PDF 2.89MB)

- Legal mechanisms for protection of coastal human settlements and ecosystems - Assoc. Prof Justine Bell-James, School of Law, University of Queensland (PDF 0.59MB)

- Queensland government climate adaptation and mitigation - what has been done so far, and where to from here? - Georgine Roodenrys, Executive Director, Climate Change and Sustainable Futures at Queensland Department of Environment and Science

For those interested in the links that Georgine shared in her PowerPoint, they were as follows -

• The Science: Queensland Future Climate | LongPaddock | Queensland Government
• See that the LGAQ has released a climate risk management framework and is providing grants for Councils to trial it: Home - Queensland Climate Resilient Councils (lgaq.asn.au)
• Check out our 30 x 30 newsletter: News and Events | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Moderator: Dr Rebecca Pearse, Lecturer, ANU School of Sociology / Fenner School of Environment & Society

PLEASE NOTE - this event runs from 5:30 - 7pm AEST, and 6:30 - 8pm AEDT.

Image credit: John/Flickr