Analysing the hot and cold of it all . . .

Oct 19, 2004

Understanding the impact and assessing the degree of climate change throughout the world is something that requires detailed research and examination - something that the University of Wollongong's Associate Professor Colin Woodroffe is more than familiar with.

His expertise relating to the impact of sea-level changes on coastal environments has recently earned him an appointment as one of the lead authors in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) fourth assessment of climate change.

The IPCC is the principal organisation that assesses the degree of climate change around the world and the impact that climate change is likely to have. The panel, which consists of an international group of distinguished scientists, has produced three major assessment reports all widely used by policymakers, scientists and other experts.

Professor Woodroffe's involvement in writing the fourth assessment, to be published in 2007, is supported by the Australian Greenhouse Office.

Professor Woodroffe recently returned from Vienna, where he attended the initial meeting of the IPCC Working Group on Impacts, Adaptations and Vulnerability to Climate Change at the Vienna International Center.

"The IPCC has reached a consensus view that the balance of evidence suggests there is a discernible human influence on global climate," Professor Woodroffe said.

"Each assessment report of the evidence for human impact on the global climate is intended to be of the highest scientific integrity, reflecting the state of knowledge and scientific interpretation fairly and adequately."

Professor Woodroffe's previous research has involved reconstructions of past changes on coral reefs throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. His studies indicate that it is especially important to ensure healthy and productive reef environments around the islands to sustain further growth of these islands in the face of global environmental changes.

Professor Woodroffe has also examined the vulnerability of low-lying estuarine and deltaic plains. His research in northern Australia has significant implications for the likely impact of changes in the sea level on the extensive deltas of Southeast Asia. He is also studying the pattern of past evolution of estuarine plains in the Illawarra region.

Professor Woodroffe said that the fourth assessment report of the IPCC would become the standard scientific reference for all those concerned with climate change and its consequences.

For further information contact: Science liaison officer, Melissa Thompson on 4221 3512.

-RP

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128