Side event at COP 15 (7-18 Dec 2009), Copenhagen

Past Event

Date
07 December 2009, 1:00am 18 December 2009 - 1:00am

Location

Ecological Interactions in a Warmer World

8th of December 2009, 1100-1300, Norrøna Ship conference room
Location: Nordre Toldbod (Copenhagen city centre, close to Nyhavn), 1259 CPH K Please bring COP15 ID or passport

To what extent does global warming impact on the biology of particular species, and on their interaction with other species? How important are shifts in species distribution ranges, and how can they affect particular economies and / or cultural practices? Three world-class scientists tackling different aspects of climate change induced shifts in ecological interactions are invited to (i) present key evidence, (ii) discuss consequences of climate change on the biology of plant and animal species, and (iii) present what modes of action can be taken in relation to predicted scenarios of climate change. An open discussion with participants will follow.

All participants are welcome to a drinks reception after the talks (c. 1230)

Invited speakers:

Camille Parmesan, University of Texas, Austin, USA The Impact of Global Warming on Natural Systems

Marcel E. Visser, Netherlands Institute of Ecology NIOO-KNAW, Heteren, NL Climate, Biology & Ecology

Bernt-Erik Saether, Centre for Conservation Biology, NTNU, Trondheim, NO Climate, Biology & Economy

Heading to 4C: Implications and Ways Out

Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Oxford University Environmental Change Institute, Met Office Hadley Centre

Thursday, 17 Dec, 16:30—18:00, Halfdan Rasmussen

“Scenarios and emissions projections for a 4°C world”
Professor Kevin Anderson, University of Manchester, Tyndall Centre

“International transport in 4°C scenarios: more room to manoeuvre?”
Dr Alice Bows, University of Manchester, Tyndall Centre

“Prospects for tropical forests and tropical biodiversity in a 4°C world”
Professor Yadvinder Malhi, University of Oxford

“4°C of global warming - when could we get there and what would it look like?”
Dr Vicky Pope, Met Office Hadley Centre

Chaired by: Dr Heike Schroeder, University of Oxford, Tyndall Centre
Discussant: Jim Watson, University of Sussex, Tyndall Centre

Despite 17 years of negotiations since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise. Cumulative emissions show that the 2°C target will require a complete reversal in global emissions trends. We report on the impact and adaptation consequences of a global change above 4°C, and explore the options for avoiding this magnitude of climate change.

Contributing speakers are the Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Professor Kevin Anderson; Head of Climate Change at the UK's Met Office Hadley Centre, Dr Vicky Pope; Oxford University's Professor of Ecosystem Science and tropical forest ecologist, Yadvinder Malhi; and from the Sustainable Consumption Institute at the University of Manchester and the Tyndall Centre, Dr Alice Bows.