Dr Sophie Lewis ‘Climate change and Australia’s extreme events.’

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Thursday, 16 June 2022 - 12:30pm
Dr Sophie Lewis
Dr Sophie Lewis

Sophie, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, will discuss human influences on past, present and future extreme climate events in Australia. Are our recent extremes a sign of a new normal and how bad could it get?

Abstract

In recent years, Australia has experienced unprecedented heat, including heatwaves and record-breaking hot days, months, seasons and years. Australia has a naturally variable climate, but recent attribution studies show that our recent extremes are already being influenced by climate change. In this presentation, I will discuss these human influences on past, present and future extreme climate events in Australia. Are our recent extremes a sign of a new normal and how bad could it get?

Biography

Dr Sophie Lewis was appointed as the ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment on 1 May 2020.

Her most recent role was as a climate scientist at the University of NSW Canberra. She was also a lead author on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, which are used worldwide to develop policies around climate change.

Dr Lewis was named 2019 ACT Scientist of the Year in recognition of her research, particularly on weather extremes and how climate change contributes to events such as bushfires and droughts.  In 2015 she was presented with the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS) Early Career Researcher Award for her work in climate science.

Her experience will bring a strong focus on climate change given her research background in this field, and her strong knowledge and connection to Canberra.

Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November in the Gardens’ Theatrette. Talks last for 1 hour. Admission is by gold coins donation. The Friends use the ‘gold’ coins donations received at each activity to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. Please note: unless otherwise indicated, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette.

The talks are in line with COVID-19 guidelines which can change rapidly.

Bookings are essential.  Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BYPPM. Bookings can be made from the Friday before the talk until Wednesday night before the talk.

The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. A donation to the Friends for the use of this material will be gratefully accepted. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au