15/11/2005 - Research funded by the Australian Government and carried out by our leading climate change scientists over the past 15 years has proven to be a great investment, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said today.
Speaking at the Greenhouse 2005: Action on Climate Change conference in Melbourne today, Senator Campbell said Australian scientists are at the forefront of building an understanding of climate change, particularly as it affects Australia and the surrounding region.

“Australian scientists are making a world class contribution to the global understanding of climate change,” Senator Campbell said.
“Climate change science underpins Australia’s climate change policy and will continue to do so.

“While the debate on whether human activity is contributing to climate change is over we need to advance our understanding of issues such as how the earth system is responding to increasing global greenhouse gas concentration, how to make our social, economic and natural systems more resilient to future climate changes and how to manage our land and industries to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, including through new low-emission technologies.

“Through the $30.7 million Australian Climate Change Science Programme, the Australian Government is investing strongly in continuing climate change research over the four years to 2008.

“It is a key part of our $1.8 billion climate change strategy designed to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions, develop an effective global response to climate change and help prepare communities, industries and regions to adapt to the impacts of climate change.”

Senator Campbell launched a range of publications at the conference and said they reflect Australia’s growing climate change science expertise.

“Today I am delighted to launch two complementary publications – Australian Climate Change Science Programme: Major Achievements 1989-2004 documents the great progress made so far in Australian scientific research.
“Australian Climate Change Science Programme: Strategic Research Agenda 2004-08 looks at the scientific questions that are key to Australia’s climate change interests and charts the way forward as we face the challenges of climate change in our region in coming years.”

Senator Campbell also released Climate Change Science—Your Questions Answered, a guide which addresses commonly asked questions about climate change.