Climate Scientists Australia
Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that climate change is real and urgent there remain serious shortcomings in the way this scientific information is used to inform decision making. At the political level the science is still called into question, take up of the information by business is mixed at best and the media continues to represent climate change in a confrontational manner between those “for” and those “against”. Individual climate sceptics receive attention even though their arguments could be easily refuted by the science; and there continue to be co-ordinated campaigns by some sections of the business community that see action on climate change as a threat to their future business. As a result, the use of science in decision making on climate change lags far behind the state of scientific understanding itself - it’s clear that there is an enormous gap between scientific knowledge, the actions politicians and the public take and the urgency they feel about the issue.
Recognizing the urgent need to bridge this gap between science and those who need to use that science in decision making, ClimateWorks Australia is supporting a group group of world leading Australian climate scientists with a mission to provide balanced, scientifically based information on climate related issues of relevance to policy makers, business leaders, the media and the public.
At a time when there is so much “noise” around climate issues there is a critical need for a credible body to ensure the debate remains grounded in fact and that the public understands the very serious consequences of what climate science is telling us.
Climate Scientists Australia Website
The following are founding members of Climate Scientists Australia
Ann Henderson-Sellers - Macquarie University
Lesley Hughes - Macquarie University
Andy Pitman - University of NSW
Tony McMichael - Australian National University
Matthew England - University of NSW
Amanda Lynch - Monash University
Neville Nicholls - Monash University
Dave Griggs - Monash University
David Karoly - University of Melbourne
Nathan Bindoff - University of Tasmania
Roger Jones - Victoria University
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg - University of Queensland
Will Steffen Australian National University
Eight of Australia’s top climate scientists, all members of Climate Scientists Australia - with over 200 years of climate science experience between them - met with Australia’s policy makers in Canberra on Wednesday 21st October with an urgent call for action. They want decision-makers to rely on the best science when determining Australia’s response to climate change.
See the story on the ABC's Lateline Programme
