• Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga will co-host the first regional instalment of the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) Climate Update events on Thursday 22 June

Charles Sturt University is assisting to bring a nationally recognised event to Wagga Wagga in a bid to improve the Riverina’s climate outlook.

The Riverina Climate Update 2023 will be held on Thursday 22 June at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga. It will showcase experts such as one of the Vice-Chairs of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) who shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, Professor Mark Howden, to investigate the current community response to climate change and assist in to finding ways to better the Riverina’s climate sustainability.

Collaborating with Kildare Catholic College, The Australian National University (ANU) and Wagga Wagga City Council, the forum forms part of a series of Climate Update events organised by the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions.

Charles Sturt University Manager of Sustainability Mr Edward Maher said the University is proud to be hosting the event on its Wagga Wagga campus.

“As Australia’s first certified carbon neutral university with research expertise in this field, bringing events like the Riverina Climate Update to our regional communities aligns perfectly with our values and purpose,” Mr Maher said.

“Central to the focus of the Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment (Gulbali Institute) is research that will increase productivity for farmers, improve natural environments, and reduce risk in agricultural and environmental management.”  

Mr Maher said Charles Sturt experts would help facilitate discussions around the state of our climate, and what can be done to tackle climate change.

“Various Charles Sturt experts from the Gulbali Institute, Professor Dale Nimmo and Professor Andrew Hall, form part of the program,” Mr Maher said.

The idea for an event originated from Kildare Catholic College geography teacher Ms Sharon Forwood, who wrote to the ICEDS enquiring about a climate short course for their students.

“The connection with ICEDS has been empowering for staff and students at Kildare,” Ms Forwood said.

“It has helped us to shift the conversation about climate change from the gloom and doom on social media to a conversation about hope and opportunity.

“As a Catholic community, Pope Francis challenges us to hear and respond to the ‘cry of the earth and the poor’. Our work with ICEDS is helping us see how we can answer the call.”

After a successful online Q&A session with the help of ANU climate researchers Mark Howden, Dr Rebecca Colvin and Tanja Russell, Ms Forwood connected the ICEDS team with the Wagga Wagga City Council and Charles Sturt University to work together on bringing a Climate Update event to the region.

ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions Director, Professor Mark Howden, said he is excited to be taking the event regionally for the first time.

“The Riverina region is no stranger to the devastating consequences of climate extremes, and unfortunately, climate change is making these worse,” Professor Howden said.

“Preparing for unprecedented climate change impacts requires a whole-of-community response, focussing on both the risks and opportunities.”

Professor Howden will bring his experience as a Vice-Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Chair of the ACT Climate Change Council to reiterate the urgency of making positive changes.

“The rapid pace of change means that we need to be accelerating our collective learning about both climate adaptation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Professor Howden said.

The event assembles an impressive line-up of experts, policymakers, students, industry leaders, and the community. The confirmed list of speakers includes:

• Aunty Mary Atkinson, Wiradjuri Elder
• Councillor Jenny McKinnon, Deputy Mayor, Wagga Wagga City Council
• Professor Mark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions; Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
• Professor Andrew Hall, Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University
• Professor Dale Nimmo, Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University
• Ella McCorry, Wiradjuri Woman and 2023 School Captain, Kildare Catholic College
• Eamon Kurta, Student Representative Council, Kildare Catholic College
• Gemma Purcell, Chair of Murrumbidgee Landcare and local farmer
• David Bardos, Director External Engagement, Charles Sturt University
• Dr Rebecca Colvin, Senior Lecturer, Resources, Environment & Development Group, ANU Crawford School of Public Policy

The event will also feature a live performance of 'The Truth' by local musician Rory Phillips, which shares a passionate call to action on climate change.

To register for the event, visit Riverina Climate Update 2023.

ENDS