The Minister for Science and Technology, Peter McGauran, today paid tribute to Australia's major contribution to monitoring and understanding the global atmosphere through the operation of the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station in north-western Tasmania.
The Minister was speaking at a function at Cape Grim to mark 20 years of observations.
"Measurements at Cape Grim are vital to our understanding of the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion and chemical cycles in the atmosphere," said Mr McGauran.
"Any efforts to tackle the environmental problems facing the planet must be based on sound understanding. The scientists who began air monitoring in the 1970s showed remarkable foresight as did the then-government in supporting them," said Mr McGauran.
Special guest speaker at the function was Professor Mario Molina, joint recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
Scientists selected the remote site in north-western Tasmania because it receives some of the cleanest air in the southern hemisphere. Measurements at Cape Grim are showing the impact of human activity on the atmosphere.
The Cape Grim station is the most sophisticated in the world network. It is operated as part of a joint agreement between the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO.
Since measurements at Cape Grim began in 1976, levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide have risen by 10 per cent. Among the first gases to be measured at Cape Grim were CFCs, now well known as ozone depleters.
Recently, Cape Grim has provided the first indications of the success of the Montreal Protocol, the international agreement aimed at overcoming ozone depletion. Atmospheric concentrations of a number of major ozone depleting chemicals are falling.
As well as monitoring a wide range of atmospheric trace gases, Cape Grim scientists measure concentrations of natural and pollutant particles, and meteorological parameters including wind speed and direction, rainfall, temperature, humidity and air pressure.
Sophisticated measurements of solar radiation, including harmful UV-B radiation, are also carried out. Since beginning operation, the station has made approximately 3 billion measurements!
Also present at the function were Dr Malcolm McIntosh, Chief Executive of CSIRO; Dr John Zillman, Director of Meteorology; Dr Graeme Pearman, Chief of the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research; and Dr John Miller, representing the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization.
More information: Peter Price, 0419 878 904 (mobile); 03 6452 2181;
Paul Holper, (03) 9239 4661 (w); (03) 9583 9903 (h); 0418 123 914 (mobile)