News from the Centres
Melbourne Centre News Michael Horn
University of Melbourne
State of the Climate 2014—Melbourne Release Event To mark the release of the State of the Climate 2014 report from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology, the AMOS Melbourne Centre hosted a public discussion on 12 March 2014, with the five leading scientists involved in the production of the report and related scientific work. Over one hundred people turned out to the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, to hear a discussion of how Australia’s climate has changed, and how it may change in the future. The expert panel was composed of Dr Karl Braganza and Dr Scott Power (Bureau of Meteorology), Dr Penny Whetton (CSIRO), Dr Ailie Gallant (Monash University), and Dr Sophie Lewis (University of Melbourne); Peter Christoff (University of Melbourne) was the moderator and MC. Karl Braganza gave an overview of the report, discussing the main ways in which anthropogenic climate change has affected Australia so far, and how these effects
are projected to develop in the future. Scott Power showed current work on the relationship between El Niño and climate change that suggests that, although projections of future El Niño variability are uncertain, the effects of El Niño events on rainfall are expected to amplify in a warmer climate. Ailie Gallant discussed rainfall extremes, pointing out that while the rainfall in southern Australia had decreased with a warming and drying trend, in the north the proportion of rainfall from extreme events has increased. Sophie Lewis discussed temperature extremes and the potential for an exceptionally warm year like 2013 to become commonplace by 2030—and relatively cool by 2090! Finally Penny Whetton discussed projections and the impacts of likely future conditions on sea level rise, water insecurity and fire danger. The panel also addressed a range of engaging questions from the audience. The AMOS Melbourne Centre would like to thank the panel, moderator, and all involved for helping to make this a great public event.
AMOS President Dr Todd Lane (far right) opens the State of the Climate event. Seated from left to right are the panellists: Dr Penny Whetton, Dr Sophie Lewis, Dr Ailie Gallant, Dr Scott Power, Dr Karl Braganza and Dr Peter Christoff. Image: Sarah Mason.
Bulletin of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society Vol. 27 page 24