Konferenzservice Mandl

Zusammenfassung: This international transdisciplinary conference will address three themes: Earth system modeling, dynamics of biogeochemical cycles and climate; and people and resources.

Zusammenfassung: Our best estimates of future climate are based on the use of complex computer models that do not explicitly resolve the wide variety of spatio-temporal scales making up Earth's climate system. The non-linearity of the governing physical processes allows energy transfer between different scales, and many aspects of this complex behaviour can be represented by stochastic models. However, the theoretical basis for so doing is far from complete. Many uncertainties remain in predictions derived from climate models, yet governments are increasingly reliant on model predictions to inform mitigation and adaptation strategies. An overarching aim of climate scientists is to reduce the uncertainty in climate predictions and produce credible assessments of model accuracy. Several workshops will take place during this program.

Zusammenfassung: We currently face a public debate on climate change. On one side stand those who oppose the mere notion of man-induced climate change. On the other there is a strong faction that, in its extreme, prophesises a near-future 'doomsday'. In the middle stands a community that would like to see a sound discussion and actual proofs going beyond unproven climate modelling.

It would be naive to think that modern industrialised societies play no part in climate change. The minerals industry is one of the largest producers of carbon dioxide, and the need to reduce emissions, coupled with the global recession, is having a huge economic impact.

Until it is proven whether climate change is human-induced or not, legislation and common-sense demand that carbon emissions be reduced, particularly from high CO2 producers such as the minerals industry.