Talking our way to a resolution

-      Robert McLean

No human dilemma can be resolved without talking about it.

And climate change needs to top of our conversational list – it’s a matter that needs to be talked about by everyone.

This is a conversation I would love to be a part of, but it is in Sydney and I’m not. Should you be in Sydney or going there, please register for this event tomorrow night, August 2.

Join Engineers Australia’s ‘Big conversation' on the huge risks that climate change poses for our, social, financial and energy systems. These risks are deadly serious, but there are amazing opportunities to be achieved through an urgent re-framing of our economy.  Ian Dunlop, a global leader in advising on these risks, will be our eminent speaker followed by Q&A panel to discuss the opportunities.

In the lead-up to the Paris Climate Change negotiations last December, much new scientific material was published, ranging from the IPCC 5th Assessment Report, to major reviews by various Academies of Science, the military, as well as multiple scientific papers.

While the IPCC Report is very important, and is the basis for much global policy making, it is an inherently conservative document.  In particular, it mentions, but does not quantify, the “tipping point” risks of the climate system.  Scientists have long been concerned about these non-linear feedback mechanisms which may trigger rapid, irreversible and catastrophic change.

This is what I’m missing - “THE BIG CONVERSATION: Our climate and energy dilemma - The case for emergency action.”