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The hot topic of climate change will take centre stage at The University of Western Australia next week with a series of lectures and a photographic exhibition to be held on campus.

Vice-Chancellor Alan Robson said UWA and the Department of Environment and Conservation had joined forces in response to growing community interest in climate change.

“The program has been put together to provide an opportunity for people to get information first hand from the experts,” Professor Robson said.

“Climate change involves complex science and global politics and the lectures will help the community, academics and professionals working in the area to develop a stronger understanding of what climate change means for them.”

As well as the international photographic exhibition Pictures of a Changing Climate, at The University Club, there will be a free screening of Al Gore’s award-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, and three free public lectures that bring together international and local perspectives on climate change.

The program starts on Monday, June 4, 2007 with a free screening of An Inconvenient Truth in the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre at 6.30pm.

The lecture series - featuring experts in ecology, climate change, sustainability and many areas of science - starts at 6pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, with an address by Dr Ray Wills in the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre on the implications of global warming for Western Australia.

Dr Wills is an expert in ecology, sustainability, climate change science and the effect of expected future climates on Australian environmental and socio-economic issues.

He will talk about why climate change should be the catalyst for reforming our economy and in particular, the energy sector, as well as focusing on emissions trading and adaptation.

Dr Wills is the WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc chair, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the School of Earth and Geographical Sciences at UWA and sits on a range of committees that focus on greenhouse and sustainability matters.

Environmental advocate Rupert Posner will present the second lecture on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at 6pm in the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre.

Mr Posner will discuss the need for private and public sectors to work together. He will reveal how international corporations and governments are showing leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and working to combat climate change. Mr Posner has more than 15 years’ experience in industry, government and the environment movement.

Broadcaster and science enthusiast Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will deliver the final lecture on Tuesday, June 26, 2007. The talk, to be held at 6pm in the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre, will discuss the importance of trust in developing the answers to climate change.

Dr Karl – as he is best known - will discuss his own perspective of climate change. In his view, you don’t call a chef to do some plumbing and you don’t call a plumber to build a fence – in the same way, for the truth on climate change, you need to speak to a climatologist.

Bookings are not required for the lectures. For more information, call Ian Lilburne at UWA on 6488 7302 or email: [email protected]

The international photographic exhibition, Pictures of a Changing Climate, will be held at The University Club from Monday, June 4 to Saturday, June 30, 2007.

Media references

Ian Lilburne 61 8 6488 7302

Simone Hewett / Francesca Robb 61 8 6488 7977
(UWA Public Affairs) 0420 790 097 / 0420 790 098