Event: Climate challenges and the path to mitigation

This presentation was recorded on Wednesday 23 June 2021. 

The scientific evidence for global warming is unequivocal. To avoid the widespread and dangerous impacts of climate change, strong action is required. Mitigation responses are critical to reduce the rate of warming in the global climate system. Adaptation responses are necessary to reduce the impact of current and future climate-related stresses and manage future climate change risks.

The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and the Royal Society of Tasmania bring together three standout speakers who will take the audience on the path from climate crisis to sustainable future. Professor Nathan Bindoff, a three times lead author on the International Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report, will provide a snapshot of emerging new climate states, tipping points and extreme weather in our potential future with weather events more frequent and intense than ever before; ATSE Fellow Professor Mary O’Kane will examine the nature of the 2019-20 bushfires, why they raise some particular challenges for mitigation and how applied scientists can influence policy development effectively. The energy sector plays a major part in climate change mitigation; Andrew Catchpole has for the last twenty years been involved in Hydro Tasmania’s participation in Australia’s National Electricity Market and will talk about the sector’s current mitigation strategies as they shift to sustainable energy production.

Australia’s mitigation and adaptation efforts will be strongly enhanced by the timely adoption and further advancement of technological and scientific innovations, supported by government policy settings that encourage investment in technologies already available.

With strong leadership from government and active participation by industry, Australia is well placed to meet the challenges and be a leader in capturing the opportunities in effective climate change mitigation and adaptation.