Second Australian Earth System Outlook Conference

Ticking time bombs in the human-earth system: information, status, timing, significance, research needs

The Shine Dome, Australian Academy of Science, Canberra 26- 27 November 2012

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Program and extended abstracts

9.30am – 5.30pm AEDST Monday 26 November 2012

8.45am – 5pm AEDST Tuesday 27 November 2012

Human activities have become so pervasive and profound since the industrial revolution that they are affecting the functioning of the entire planet  -  changing the composition of the atmosphere, waters and soils, modifying the energy balance at the Earth’s surface and, consequently, climatic patterns; acidifying land and sea; reducing the diversity of the biosphere and raising sea level. We are in the “Anthropocene”. his new epoch is changing the continued provision of ecosystem services.  It carries risks of abrupt and/or practically irreversible environmental changes, such as deglaciation of the Arctic and parts of the Antarctic, which could have deleterious and even catastrophic repercussions for contemporary human civilization. Continuing major human impacts on global systems are now unavoidable, meaning that well-informed, integrated management of the Earth system is a great challenge for global governance of the 21st century. Earth System Science (ESS) is an emerging, highly interdisciplinary, quantitative and rigorous research area that aims to (i) understand how the Earth system works, including the role of humans as an integral part of the system; and (ii) provide the knowledge required for humanity to thrive in the 21st century and beyond by maintaining a well-functioning and resilient Earth system.

This Second Australian Earth System Outlook Conference, open to all, will explore a small selection of globally significant “ticking time bombs” which pose risks of unmanageable undesirable change unless anticipatory actions are taken that fall well outside the corrective capacity of the invisible hand of economic market forces.  There are many of these of which greenhouse gas forced global climate change and mass extinctions are much discussed iconic examples.  For the two day meeting we have selected a set of just four themes that have tipping point potential, partly but not entirely involving climate change and biodiversity.  These are:

  • The mismatch between actual investment commitments in future fossil fuel infrastructure and the world’s leading governments’ recognition, in the Copenhagen Declaration, of the scientific view that the increase in global temperature ought not to exceed 2 degrees (Convened by Mr Ian Dunlop)
  • Polar deglaciation and its repercussions for global sea level (Convened by Drs Ian Allison and Tas van Ommen)
  • Interactive effects of the multiple environmental pressures on the Great Barrier Reef (Convened by Profs Terry Hughes and Brian Walker)
  • Long term global food security risks (Convened by Prof Will Steffen and Dr Roger Gifford)

Posters - There will be opportunity to present posters on Earth System Science results and issues.

When: 26-27 November 2012
Where: Shine Dome, Canberra
Accommodation: Please arrange your own accommodation.
University House P: 02 6125 5276
A block booking has been arranged at University House: Ph  02 6125 5276 and mention the “Australian Academy of Science” block booking to receive a discounted rate (prices from $142 per night including breakfast).
Other hotels within walking distance of the Shine Dome are;
Rydges Lakeside P: 02 6247 6244
Registration: $200 (including GST) before 15 September, 2012, or $220 after that date.
PhD students and unsalaried pensioners: $100.
Invited speakers: registration is waived.
The final registration deadline is 16 November, 2012. Registration Form
Contact: Please address program questions to
Roger M. Gifford | roger.gifford@csiro.au | 02 6299 5547

For all other enquires
Jeanette Mill | jeanette.mill@science.org.au | 02 6201 9413
Organised by the National Committee for Earth System Science of the Australian Academy of Science
Held in conjunction with the 25th Officers Meeting of the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme
Supported by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency