Climate scientists, policy makers and industry representatives will meet in Sydney from 2-5 October at GREENHOUSE 2007,one of the largest international climate change conferences held in Australia.

The conference will focus on: climate change projections; the use of probabilities for climate change risk analysis and management; the potential social impacts of climate change; and, changing perceptions of the causes and effects of climate change.

Keynote addresses will be presented by a number of leading Australian and international experts in the field including: Australia’s chief scientist, Dr Jim Peacock; the UK Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King; former CSIRO Atmospheric Research Chief, Dr Graeme Pearman; Stanford University’s Dr Stephen Schneider, Dr David Karoly from the University of Melbourne; and, Australian of the Year, Dr Tim Flannery.

"We’re delighted that so many eminent climate change scientists and practitioners will be in Sydney in October presenting at GREENHOUSE 2007," says conference convenor, Paul Holper from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.

A highlight of the conference will be the launch of Climate Change in Australia, new climate change projections that will provide an indication of what changes we can expect in temperature,rainfall and other aspects of climate over the coming decades.

"Developed by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology through the Australian Climate Change Science Program, Climate Change in Australia will be an essential tool for government, business and community groups to meet the challenges presented by our changing climate," Mr Holper says.

In addition the conference will feature presentations on: observing and measuring climate; the carbon cycle; climate modelling and projections; climate change impacts and adaptation; water; mitigating emissions; policy; economics and risk; infrastructure and planning; and communicating climate change.

"Understanding our climate is fundamental to dealing with the impacts of climate change. This conference is a great opportunity for government, industry and the community to get together with leading climate change experts so they can draw on the latest science to inform policy and decision making," Mr Holper says.

GREENHOUSE 2007 is being organised by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology, in collaboration with industry, government and universities. Major sponsors include the Australian Greenhouse Office, NSW Government, CSIRO, the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, New Scientist, the Bureau of Meteorology and Origin Energy.