The APRU World Institute Workshop held a workshop to bring together about 40 senior researchers and policy advisors from the public and private sectors to foster understanding and discussion about climate change in the context of sustainable cities. The scientific consensus is clear that human activity is altering the world's climate. There are many manifestations of climate change already seen around the world, such as sea level rise, melting of glaciers, reduction of mountain snowpack, earlier onset of spring growing seasons, increased acidification of ocean waters, and changes in severe weather events. While much is known about climate change at global scales, the capability to model and predict regional and local scale impacts is an area of active research with preliminary results that have significant potential to inform societal responses. Whether focusing on policy responses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or designing adaptation and mitigation strategies, scholars and practitioners need to have the best possible understanding of climate change and its impacts.
The final report is available to download. Click here . The program and the powerpoint presentations given at the workshop are available on the Program page.
Most of the world's population lives in urban areas, primarily in coastal areas. The design and operation of cities has an impact on global and regional climate processes. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy used in the built infrastructure, transportation, and industrial activities are significant contributors to climate change and represent important opportunities for innovation and efficiency. In addition, impacts from changes already underway from climate conditions, are already affecting city life and operations.
International climate scientists from UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography and elsewhere will discuss the latest research on climate change. They will address the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the body established by the United Nations Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization, to inform governments on the scientific consensus on climate change (see http://www.ipcc.ch). Business leaders, economists, city officials, and others will present research and discuss responses to regional and local impacts of climate change. The workshop will include interdisciplinary panels to facilitate dialog and develop relationships between experts in different sectors as we work to shape a more sustainable future.
The workshop is part of a series sponsored by the Association of Pacific Rim Universities World Institute. It is hosted by the University of California-San Diego, and sponsored by National University of Singapore, Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH), University of California-San Diego, University of Melbourne, University of Tokyo, and University of Southern California.
POST-WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT
>Dr Lisa Shaffer , has been appointed AWI Climate Change and Sustainability Director to lead AWI activities in this field. Dr. Shaffer is Executive Director of the Sustainability Solutions Institute at the University of California, San Diego, and was responsible for international relations and policy programs at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography from 1998-2007.
>New AWI Research Project
Pacific Rim Cities: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
Summary. The APRU World Institute is developing a multi-year research effort focused on the impact of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies of major cities around the Pacific Rim. This project fits within AWI's ³Climate Change and Sustainability² theme and has the tentative title of Pacific Rim Cities: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies (PRC/CMAS). The first phase of the project is intended to provide initial results of practical value to public and private sector decision-makers and to develop an external funding strategy to go beyond the first year. The project, which was initially proposed by the University of Melbourne , builds on the discussions and recommendations from the APRU World Institute workshop on "Climate Change and Sustainable Cities" which was held at UC San Diego in April 2007. The full report from the April workshop is available on AWI's website . The purpose of the PRC/CMAS project is to build a research collaboration among a trans-Pacific set of APRU/AWI member universities, focusing on common issues posed by climate change and sustainability goals of major cities around the Pacific Rim.
Sponsors and Co-Directors (as of 8/2/07). The presidents and chancellors of the following universities have committed to becoming charter members of this AWI research project: University of Melbourne, University of California at San Diego, University of Malaya, and the National University of Singapore. AWI is presently seeking an APRU member from China and from Japan to also become charter members of this project; additional APRU/AWI members are also welcome to become charter members. The Co-Directors of this project are Dr. Lisa Shaffer, Executive Director of the Sustainability Solutions Institute at the University of California, San Diego, and Professor Jim Falk, Convener, of the Climate Adaptation Science and Policy Initiative at the University of Melbourne.