TAKING ACTION ON A CHANGING CLIMATE

The Queensland Government is backing up its commitment to action on climate change by making it the theme of this year’s Natural Resources conference, Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said today.

“Climate Change – Queensland takes action, will focus on climate change and how it relates to the management of Queensland’s natural resources,” Mr Wallace said.

“Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing the world today and Queensland’s climate is projected to become more variable and extreme in the future.

“Climate change can seriously affect our water supply, food production, health and economy, and damage some of our more sensitive natural environments.

“Presentations at the conference will examine the relationship between climate change and land use and water supplies, carbon trading and low emissions technology.

“The Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence will outline the Queensland Climate Smart Adaptation Plan, which is an action plan for managing the impacts of climate change.”

Other speakers include:

·Dr Keith Suter - social commentator, strategic planner, university lecturer, writer and broadcaster

·Dr Roger Stone – Professor in Climatology and Water Resources and Director of the Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments at the University of Southern Queensland

·Kevin Hennessey – Principal Research Scientist with the CSIRO, and

·Frank Van Schagen – CEO of the CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development.

MC for the day is James O’Loghlin, media personality and host of The New Inventors.

He will also be running a round table discussion - The future…it’s up to us - featuring a panel of invited experts and guests.

“This conference brings together some of Australia’s leading climate specialists,” Mr Wallace said.

“I encourage anyone interested in climate change and how it may affect Queensland’s natural resources to attend this conference.”

The conference is being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 23 May 2007.

Program details, registration brochure, cost and more information about the conference is available on the NRW west site at

http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/events/nrconference/index.html

Media contact:Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.