Australia’s climate history has been gathered by Dr Joëlle Gergis.
The outcome of the assembly, a book entitled “Sunburnt Country”, will be launched at the University of Melbourne on Thursday, April 5.
The book is result of the work of an award-winning climate scientist and writer from the University of Melbourne, Dr Gergis.
Sunburnt Country is the story of the quest to piece together Australia’s climate history for the first time. It starts in the summer of 1787 and journeys through previously unknown floods, bushfires, droughts and cyclones that shaped our nation, taking us beyond the well-known 20th century weather events that define our ‘on record’ understanding of Australian climate. By using a range of historical and scientific records spanning back hundreds of years before official weather records began, we gain an unparalleled perspective on Australia’s natural climate cycles.
This ground-breaking story journeys deep into our natural and cultural history exploring how past generations of Australians responded to climate extremes. We’ll ask: What’s the difference between natural variability and climate change? How did Aboriginal people and the first European explorers deal with our extreme climate? How do scientists get information about past climate from ancient corals, tree-rings and ice core records? Do human activities really have the power to alter natural cycles that have been with us for millions of years? If so, what does climate change in our own backyard actually look like?
Using evidence that has never been brought together before, we can clearly see how our warming planet is sending Australia’s natural climate variability into overdrive. Sunburnt Country provides powerful insight into what’s at stake for Australian lifestyles and ecosystems as the planet continues to warm. We are now witnessing a pivotal moment in human history that represents the end of an era for polluting fossil fuels and the dawn of the clean energy revolution. If we choose to face reality and restore care for the planet that sustains us, we can protect humanity from an apocalyptic future. We are now living in the age of consequences where the actions of every single person on the planet have the power to shape future life on Earth.
This ground-breaking story journeys deep into our natural and cultural history exploring how past generations of Australians responded to climate extremes. We’ll ask: What’s the difference between natural variability and climate change? How did Aboriginal people and the first European explorers deal with our extreme climate? How do scientists get information about past climate from ancient corals, tree-rings and ice core records? Do human activities really have the power to alter natural cycles that have been with us for millions of years? If so, what does climate change in our own backyard actually look like?
Using evidence that has never been brought together before, we can clearly see how our warming planet is sending Australia’s natural climate variability into overdrive. Sunburnt Country provides powerful insight into what’s at stake for Australian lifestyles and ecosystems as the planet continues to warm. We are now witnessing a pivotal moment in human history that represents the end of an era for polluting fossil fuels and the dawn of the clean energy revolution. If we choose to face reality and restore care for the planet that sustains us, we can protect humanity from an apocalyptic future. We are now living in the age of consequences where the actions of every single person on the planet have the power to shape future life on Earth.
 |
| Dr Joëlle Gergis . |
Biography: Dr Joëlle Gergis is an award-winning climate scientist and writer from the University of Melbourne. She has held two Australian Research Council fellowships as an internationally recognised expert in Australian and Southern Hemisphere climate variability and change. Over the past 20 years Joëlle has worked as a researcher, teacher and communication professional to bring the wonders of the natural world alive for others. Her goal is to help people connect the head with the heart when thinking about climate change. Sunburnt Country is her first book and is based on the research project she led that won the 2014 Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Research.
No comments:
Post a Comment