Free seminar: Science, survival and global environmental change16 August 2004
During National Science Week 2004, which runs from 14 August to 22 August, the Australian Academy of Science is presenting a series of free public lectures across Australia. As part of this, Professor David Bowman, Director of the Key Centre for Tropical Wildlife Management at Charles Darwin University will be presenting a free lecture in Darwin about science, survival and global environmental change. “It is beyond dispute that the global environment is rapidly changing in response to human activities. This will be illustrated by reference to the observed changes to the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide over the last century,” Professor Bowman indicated. “The potential global and regional consequences of this increase in CO 2 , particularly the increasing density of woody vegetation in northern Australia, will be discussed. “Uncertainties in our understanding of even recent past environmental changes, such as vegetation thickening, will be highlighted to demonstrate that a precise understanding of the future consequences of environmental change is impossible. “While there is little doubt that humans will adapt to global environmental change, I assert that optimal adaptive responses hinge upon sustained and well-funded scientific research because science is the key to surviving the uncertainty of global environmental change. “Such adaptive integrative sciences will necessarily replace the ‘old’ triumphalist science that triggered the advent of global environmental change and is increasingly unpopular with the general public. “It is ironic that science is now struggling to be adequately funded when it is on the cusp of its rebirth,” Professor Bowman said. A flyer for the seminar can be found here Other seminars as part of the week include: Adelaide maths and telecommunications |
