Generating integrated climate change research
The Griffith Climate Change Response Program leads Griffith University’s research into climate change adaptation and mitigation. As climate change issues cut across many fields of study our research projects are transdisciplinary. The program brings together the wealth of Griffith research expertise from across the University, enabling climate change problems to be addressed in a comprehensive manner and often in conjunction with our international partners.
Research in focus - supporting climate change information management in the Pacific
Pacific islands are among the most vulnerable nations in the world to the adverse impacts of climate change. The Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Pacific iCLIM project, is working with locals to improve climate change resilience and adaptation planning in the Pacific.
News from the Griffith Climate Change Response Program
- New Blog Post - "3 defining features of Adaptation Futures 2018"
- Launch of sustainable development and climate change program with Indonesia
- Seminar recording available - Long-term vision on sustainable development and climate actions
- Memorandum of Understanding signed with the University of the South Pacific
- Griffith University IPCC authors
- Climate Update 2018 - presentations now online
- Papua New Guinea to enhance managing climate change information
- Dialogue on relevance of the Earth Charter to contemporary issues
- New Book released - Limits to Climate Change Adaptation
Climate change in the news
- Getting to know the microbes that drive climate change - 16 July, ScienceDaily
- UK politicians 'failing to rise to the challenge of climate change' - 16 July, The Guardian
- Climate change to worsen urban air quality, lifting death toll - 16 July, SMH
- Heatwave sees record high temperatures around world this week - 14 July, The Guardian
- Climate change is biggest risk to World Heritage sites – former UNESCO chief - 13 July, Decanter
- Flooding in Thai cave reflects climate change as wet season gets wetter - 12 July, SMH
- Climate change good news for underwater farming fish, study finds - 13 July, ABC
- Europe’s Banks Move to Greener Finance in Response to Climate Change Risks - 12 July, Insurance Journal
- Combatting climate change could create 24 million jobs by 2030 - 12 July, Asian Correspondent
Snapshots from recent activities and meetings
The Griffith Climate Change Response Program was a sponsor of the Narratives of Climate Change Symposium which was held at the University of Newcastle on 5 & 6 July 2018. The symposium was an interdisciplinary collaboration inspired by the possibility that the gap between scientific knowledge and effective political, legal and social action can be bridged by alternative forms of narrative, incorporated into and developed by artistic creations, works of fiction, social and other media, performances of all types including theatrical, activist and absurdist, visionary planning and innovative litigation such as the Children’s Trust lawsuits.
Dr Esther Onyango (in photo) presented at the Symposium as did Prof Brendan Mackey of the Griffith Climate Change Response Program.
On 11 June 2018 the Collaborative Australia-Indonesia Program for Sustainable Development and Climate Change was launched by the Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President, Prof Ian O'Connor with the Indonesian President's Special Envoy for Climate Change, the Hon Prof Rachmat Witoelar, at Griffith University's Nathan campus. The Program will facilitate high-level bilateral dialogues, multidisciplinary research collaborations, higher degree research support and student mobility opportunities with an emphasis on contributing to sustainable development in Indonesia and enhanced knowledge and capacity in responding to the challenges of climate change. Speakers at the event were Prof Ian O'Connor, Prof Caitlin Byrne (Director, Griffith Asia Institute), the Hon Rachmat Witoelar and Prof Brendan Mackey (Director, Griffith Climate Change Response Program).
Alongside members and Directors from the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Centre for Environment and Population Health, Centre for Excellence in Sustainable Development in Indonesia, Centre for Governance and Public Policy, Griffith International, Centre for Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue, Cities Research Institute, the Griffith Business School and Griffith University Indonesian students, guests at the event included those from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, Australia-Indonesia Business Council and the Queensland Department of Environment & Heritage Protection.
On 8 June 2018 the Griffith Climate Change Response Program was proud to present a public seminar at the South Bank campus, from our special guest, the Hon Prof Rachmat Witoelar, The Indonesian President's Special Envoy for Climate Change: Long-term vision on Sustainable Development Goals and climate actions. It was an uplifting evening with a good mix of upcoming sustainability entrepreneurs, Indonesian students and State and local government representatives. One key message from the seminar was the critical role that Non-State Actors (NSAs) are now playing in taking actions against climate change.
The University of the South Pacific (USP) and Griffith University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborative research for a period of five years.
The MoU was signed by Professor Rajesh Chandra, Vice-Chancellor and President of USP on 4 May 2018 and counter signed by Professor Ian O’Connor, Vice-Chancellor and President of Griffith University on 22 May 2018.
Dan Ware and Dr Ed Morgan, from the Griffith Climate Change Response Program visited Emalus Campus at USP on 11 May 2018 to discuss opportunities and it was agreed that USP will be part of their upcoming research studies in the Pacific.
In photo - Dan Ware (left) and Dr Ed Morgan (right) of Griffith Climate Change Response Program with Dr Krishna Kotra, Science Programme Coordinator during their visit to the Emalus Campus.
In March 2018 the inaugural annual symposium of the Primary Tropical Forests and Climate Change project was held at Springbrook, Queensland, Australia. The project leader is Prof Brendan Mackey, Director, Griffith Climate Change Response Program. The Australian Rainforest Conservation Society is a partner in the project and was the venue host.
Day 3 of the Symposium was a field trip at Springbrook. 14 of the Symposium researchers braved the Twin Falls Track.
The circuit involved walking behind waterfalls ...
The Best of All Lookout is home to an Ancient Antarctic Beech Forest.
A close up view from the Best of All Lookout with Mt Springbrook in the foreground.
In March 2018 Sam Mackay (Program Manager, Griffith Climate Change Response Program) and Madeleine McGann (iCLIM Project Officer) participated in a workshop about the importance of climate change information and knowledge management and its critical role in adaptation planning and resilience planning with delegates from the Government of Papua New Guinea. Hosted by the Office of Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), the workshop saw participants agree on priority actions for establishing a strategic framework and work plan for the CCDA, as the lead government climate change agency.