Antinuclear

Mary Robinson criticises Australia’s cuts to CSIRO climate research

Mary Robinson joins chorus against CSIRO cuts, says climate science ‘imperative, not luxury’ By Sara Phillips, ABC News, 16 Mar 16  Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson criticised the proposed cuts to CSIRO climate science in a speech made last night at the University of Melbourne’s Sustainable Society Institute.

The highly-decorated former politician was last year a United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Change.

She was a key player in brokering the global agreement on climate change reached in Paris in December.

But on Tuesday night she said she was concerned about proposed cuts to long-running climate science programs.

CSIRO chief Larry Marshall announced structural changes to Australia’s national science agency in February, paring back efforts to observe and measure climate change and instead emphasise research into how Australia should prepare for it.

Approximately 350 climate science jobs are expected to be affected.

The cuts were condemned around the world, with an open letter from nearly 3,000 scientists from around the world calling on Dr Marshall to reconsider his plans.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change co-chair and even the World Meteorological Organisation also spoke up against the proposed cuts.

‘I urge Australia to continue to provide leadership’

Ms Robinson, a career diplomat, was forthright in adding her voice to the chorus.

“I think it’s the wrong message at the moment. We need the research at all levels and more of it,” she said.

“Research is an investment in our shared future. It’s not a luxury……….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-16/climate-change-research-‘imperative’-not-‘luxury’-mary-robinson/7249596?section=environment

March 16, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming