Climate change lectures go online to satisfy demand

A CLIMATE change lecture series which proved an unexpected hit with the public is being made available online to satisfy demand.

The Environmental Protection Agency described the seven-part lecture series as “extremely popular” and said it explored key aspects of climate- change, ranging from predictions and impact to its economic and political consequences.

A group of international experts presented an assessment of the facts, challenges and opportunities arising from a changing global climate.

Their presentation and the ensuing question and answer sessions are now available as a video broadcast on the EPA website.

Each lecture attracted an “unexpectedly large audience”, the EPA said.

The online material could prove a useful tool for schools or any organisations keen to find out more about the facts of this issue.

EPA director general Dr Mary Kelly said yesterday that climate change is acknowledged as “one of the most serious threats” facing humanity.

“Fundamental and far- reaching structural and lifestyle changes are required if we are to deal with the environmental and social consequences,” she said.

“Clear, accurate and timely information is vital in raising awareness among the public, the politicians and among key policy and decision makers in the country. We feel that making this series of lectures widely available on the internet will be a valuable step towards raising awareness about this important topic.”

Dr Kelly said the information presented in the series as being “at the cutting edge of the science of climate change”.

Among the speakers at the series was Environment Minister John Gormley who unveiled the government’s climate change awareness campaign to inform the public and mobilise public support for emissions reductions.

Dr Eric Wolff of the British Antarctic Survey spoke about the evidence of global warming found at the ice cores.

Professor Wolfgang Lucht of the Potsdam Institute in Germany gave a presentation explaining how continued expansion and industralisation of agriculture “will cause further deep transformations of landscapes with profound consequences for ecosystems and human cultures”.

* www.epa.ie