THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
MEDIA RELEASE
CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS PROJECT LAUNCHED IN CANBERRA
The Earthwatch ClimateWatch Trail was launched at Parliament House today by Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus.
The Earthwatch ClimateWatch Trail, located in the Federal Parliament Precinct, aims to encourage the general public to collect and record environmental data that will help shape the country's scientific response to climate change.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus said the Trail will promote community awareness of changes in our climate and act as a reminder of the special natural attributes of the area surrounding Parliament House.
The Trail will provide a meaningful way for Canberrans to assist scientists to collect the large amount of observational data required to inform us of the impacts of climate change said Mr Dreyfus.
It will also promote the work of the ClimateWatch Citizens Science program encouraging community groups, schools and individuals to take notice of what is happening in their local environments, and report their observations and nature sightings to the central ClimateWatch data base
Scientists are already telling us that climate change is affecting rainfall patterns and temperature across Australia, and as a result is triggering changes in the flowering times, breeding cycles and migration movements of Australia's flora and fauna. He said.
The ClimateWatch Citizens Science program is part of Earthwatch. Earthwatch works with Federal and State Governments and major companies on innovative research projects which provide scientific knowledge for policy makers and wider community understanding of science. It is part of an international network with 62 live projects across Australia and the world.
ClimateWatch gives all Australians the important opportunity to actively contribute to informing discussions around climate change, carbon pollution mitigation efforts and climate change adaptation said Mr Dreyfus.
WEDNESDAY, 25 MAY 2011
