Join The Big Conversation

On 2 August 2016 Engineers Australia’s Sustainable Engineering Society and UTS are hosting ‘The Big Conversation’ on the significant risks that climate change poses for our social, financial, and energy systems, making the case for emergency action.

The risks are serious, but it will be argued that an urgent re-framing of our economy could be the solution. Ian Dunlop, a global leader in advising on these risks, will be speaking, followed by a Q&A panel to discuss the opportunities. Panelists include Ian Dunlop; Prof Cynthia Mitchell FIEAust (Institute for Sustainable Futures); Tina Perinotto (Fifth Estate); and Graham Davies MIEAust CPEng NER (Chair of Sustainable Engineering Society). The Panel will be moderated by Prof David Hood AM HonFIEAust CPEng NER.

In the lead-up to the Paris Climate Change negotiations last December, much new scientific material was published, ranging from the IPCC 5th Assessment Report, to major reviews by Academies of Science, the military, as well as multiple new peer reviewed scientific reports.

While the IPCC Report is very important, and is the basis for much global policy making, it is approved for release by UN member states and is thus an inherently conservative document. In particular, it mentions, but does not quantify, the “tipping point” risks of the climate system. Scientists have long been concerned about these non-linear feedback mechanisms which may trigger rapid, irreversible and catastrophic change. New evidence suggests this may now be happening.

For more details about the event and to register, please follow this link: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/event/our-climate-and-energy-dilemma-case-emergency-action

RELATED BLOG:

• Our climate and energy dilemma: The case for emergency action – by Ian Dunlop