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ANALYSIS: EXcLUSIVE RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND OUR SEAS AND SKIES DR KENNETH LEE, DIRECTOR Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship 88 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS: EXclUSIVE Research at CSIRO equips policy makers, industries and communities with practical and effective adaptation options to climate change and variability. Here, Dr Kenneth Lee highlights some of the Ocean and Atmosphere Flagship’s impressive successes in this domain, including its international contributions to climate science, understanding of ocean dynamics and cutting-edge marine observing technologies Could you discuss your background and how it led you to your Furthermore, these investments typically cost less than one-tenth of the current role? benefits that accrue through timely, well-targeted action. Following my studies in aquatic sciences in both marine biology and How is research in this area translated into planning and chemical oceanography, I have worked as a research scientist for the policy making? past 30 years. In this role I lead multidisciplinary research programmes, involving government agencies, academia, industry and the public, to We communicate our research through various channels to inform provide the knowledge support required for the development and revision decision making. For example, informed by our research, we provide of national policies and regulations, and set international standards for detailed climate change projections and information, in user-friendly the protection of the marine environment. formats, to underpin climate impact studies and support adaptation decision-making to local, state and federal government, and Prior to joining the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research industry sectors. Organisation (CSIRO) in 2013 as Director of the Wealth from Oceans Flagship, I was founding Executive Director of the Centre for Offshore In what respects are the impacts of climate change already being Oil, Gas and Energy Research (CCOGER), a Centre of Expertise in felt in Australia? the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada. The Centre is responsible for the coordination and implementation of research A report on observed changes in long-term trends in Australia’s programmes with industry and academia to provide scientific climate was released by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology in knowledge and advice on the level of environmental risks associated March 2014. State of the Climate 2014 is the third report in the series with the development of Canada’s offshore oil and gas, and ocean and follows earlier reports in 2010 and 2012. Data and analysis from renewable energy sector. the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO show further warming in the atmosphere and oceans in the Australian region, as is happening Can you highlight the importance of Australia’s marine and coastal globally. This change is occurring against the background of high resources to the country as a whole? climate variability, but the signal is clear. Key points for State of the Climate 2014 for Australia include: Australia is a marine nation surrounded by the ocean; its marine industries are valued at over AUS $47 billion, including offshore • Climate has warmed by 0.9 °C since 1910, and the frequency of oil and gas, fisheries, tourism and shipping. Subject to improved extreme weather has changed, with more extreme heat and fewer understanding to de-risk investment, in a decade’s time the industries cooler extremes linked to Australia’s coastal and offshore resources could be worth more than $100 billion per year. • Rainfall averaged across Australia has slightly increased since 1900, with the largest increases in the northwest since 1970 At present, which environmental issues are taking precedence across Australia? • Rainfall has declined since 1970 in the southwest, dominated by reduced winter rainfall. Autumn and early winter rainfall has mostly From an ocean and atmospheric perspective, we are focusing our been below average in the southeast since 1990 scientific research activities to address environmental issues that will enable the multiple use of our oceans, such as the development • Extreme fire weather has increased, and the fire season has of offshore oil and gas, alongside fisheries and coastal developments, lengthened across large parts of Australia since the 1970s all performed in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. In addition to monitoring air quality, we are improving our ability to Are you able to reveal any findings from the Flagship’s collaborative predict climatic changes in a timescale that will enable adaption and effort to uncover the mysteries of the Great Australian Blight? mitigation strategies to be enforced. CSIRO, BP, the South Australian Research and Development In what ways is CSIRO partnering with the Bureau of Meteorology Institute (SARDI), the University of Adelaide and Flinders University to investigate potential impacts and adaption strategies to are working on an $20 million research programme to better climate change? understand the environmental, economic and social value of the Great Australian Bight. The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research (CAWCR) – a partnership between Australia’s leading atmosphere and ocean research Multidisciplinary research teams will study the oceanography, ecology, agencies – the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO – was established biodiversity, petroleum geochemistry and socio-economic value of the in September 2007. CAWCR combines the research capability of both region. This research will increase our knowledge of the region and national agencies in weather, climate and ocean research. help inform decision making for marine resource management and sustainable development in the region Deliverables from this collaborative programme provide policy makers, industries and communities with practical and effective adaption options The project has only recently commenced and oceanographic for climate change and variability. Adaption will help to protect ourselves, expeditions are currently underway. Results from data analysis will our families, businesses and environment against the impacts of these be made available for the benefit of other stakeholders, such as current and future climate risks. In many cases, CSIRO’s research Commonwealth and State regulators, governments and a diverse suggests that up to half of these risks can be removed by proactive range of research, community and environmental groups through investments to increase the resilience of our society and infrastructure. publication in science journals and technical reports. www.internationalinnovation.com 89 ANALYSIS: EXcLUSIVE CSIRO is working with industry partners in other areas. We work • Novel materials for subsea pressure housings: carbon fibre and hand- in-hand with industry, governments at all level and the fibreglass to replace steel and titanium for lighter, stronger housings community to ensure that our research has value for our partners and customers. For example, last month CSIRO and BHP Billiton • Quantitative fisheries research tools, used by our own research teams, Petroleum announced a new marine research partnership for the as well as researchers and industry groups outside of CSIRO World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef, the largest fringing reef in the world. This five-year, jointly funded $5 million research programme Could you underline some of the Flagship’s most outstanding will include both deep and shallow reef research, turtle and shark research contributions? tagging, a PhD scholarship scheme and opportunities to engage the local community in Exmouth, Western Australia. We are also working There are many research successes to point to across our newly formed with the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences on environmental Flagship, including our growing contribution to high-impact science, baseline studies that support Shell and INPEX in the development of evidenced by our recent ranking by the Nature Publishing Index as the operational oil spill contingency plans and oil spill response capability. top Australian institution for publication in Nature Climate Change 2012-2013. To what extent will the cut in federal funding to CSIRO impact on research output? Another example of successful research by our scientists is the cost savings delivered to the fisheries industry. Australia’s fishing zone is The 2014 Federal Budget included appropriation reductions for the world’s third largest, and the $2 billion commercial fishing and CSIRO over the four-year forward estimates. Nonetheless, we aquaculture industry employs over 11,000 people. CSIRO’s research helps will continue to invest in our world-leading atmospheric and keep the industry and the marine ecosystem sustainable. An independent oceanographic science, including further development of the study has indicated that the annual long-term economic impact of our Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator work is more than $300 million, including healthier marine ecosystems (ACCESS) model with the Bureau of Meteorology that will enable and 5 per cent fish stocks growth; secured commercial catch volume; climate impact and adaptation analysis, and weather forecasting. and recreational fisheries benefits. CSIRO’s approaches have had global impact. Most recently, CSIRO was successful in a bid to lead the National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) Earth Systems Hub A team of our scientists was recently recognised at the Australian that will provide