News & Views item - October 2007

 

FASTS Notes Australian Scientists' Contribution to IPCC Nobel Peace Prize. (October 15, 2007)
     The Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) pointed out this morning that  over 100 Australian scientists have contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which shares this year’s Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice-President Al Gore.

The President of FASTS, Professor Tom Spurling, said Australia should be proud of the outstanding contribution Australian scientists have made to the IPCC processes and publications.

“Good science remains critical for understanding and responding to the many different facets of climate change. Over the years, the IPCC has methodically drawn together the evidence, data and insights of the world’s leading experts. Their careful evaluations are transforming the way people view the world, energy consumption and their environment.”

 

Professor Spurling, while noting the understandable media attention focused on Mr Gore, said, "We should not underestimate the contribution of the IPCC. The IPCC is by far the biggest, international collaborative scientific project ever undertaken in terms of the numbers of scientists and countries involved. It involves thousands of scientists around the globe and more than 100 Australian scientists have played important roles as lead authors, contributors, vice chairs and reviewers. They come from Australia’s leading climate, environmental and scientific research and management agencies including CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Government Antarctic Division, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystem CRC and our Universities. Their contribution should be valued by all Australians.”