We have a wonderful speaker on a hot topic (in more ways than one) at WEPA’s Annual General Meeting this year. The meeting will deal with the tabling of annual reports and the nominations of the Executive Committee for 2019/20* and we will then hear from:
Speaker: Professor Lesley Hughes on Climate change: where are we and where are we going?
When: 7pm Tuesday 19 March 2019
Where: Glenaeon Primary School Hall, 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
Cost: Free, meeting open to all.
Our climate system is changing rapidly as a result of human activity with 17 of the 18 hottest years on record occurring this century. In Australia, we are already experiencing severe drought, increased bushfire risk, and unprecedented heatwaves. The changing climate is affecting all sectors – our environment, economy, food security, health, and communities. This talk will summarise the latest global and national trends in the climate and identify the most important observed and future impacts. It will outline what we need to do to achieve a stable climate by the second half of this century in terms of climate policy, but will also highlight the many exciting opportunities available ensure a viable future, both for the planet’s species and our children.
Lesley Hughes is a Distinguished Professor of Biology and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Integrity & Development) at Macquarie University. Her research has mainly focused on the impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems. She is a former Lead Author in the IPCC’s 4th and 5th Assessment Reports, a former federal Climate Commissioner and is now a Councillor with the Climate Council of Australia. She is also a Director for WWF Australia, a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, the Director of the Biodiversity Node for the NSW Adaptation Hub and a member of the expert advisory committee for Future Earth Australia.