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July 2008 |
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Hydro-climate challenges under the spotlightThe challenges in predicting climate and the potential impacts of future climate on Australia’s hydrology and water resources are discussed in a summary paper now available from the Cutting Edge Science Symposium – Hydrological Consequences of Climate Change, held in Canberra late last year. The two-day symposium brought together 140 researchers from a range of institutions and disciplinary areas to discuss their scientific understanding of how future climate is likely to affect water availability in Australia. The summary paper describes the current state of knowledge about Australia’s climate, the consequences of likely climatic changes on hydrological systems, the modelling used to predict change, and the research needed to improve climate and hydrology predictions. It also offers topics worthy of future research.
Organised by CSIRO through the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, the conference found there has been significant progress in recent years in better defining the impact of climate change on hydrology and water resources in Australia. The conference provided a useful baseline of the current science of climate and hydrology modelling, said symposium convenor Dr Ian Prosser from the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship. “More importantly, it brought the climate and hydrology communities together,” he said. “Delegates reached a broad consensus on the best way forwards and there are several programs working to make these improvements a reality.” The November symposium was opened by Australian Chief scientist Dr Jim Peacock, and was supported by Land and Water Australia and the National Water Commission. Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is a research partnership between CSIRO, state and federal governments, and other research providers. The Flagships aims to achieve substantially improve the way we use and manage water. The six-page summary and other information from the symposium are available at: www.csiro.au/resources/HydrologicalClimateChangeSummary.html Contact:
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