Press Releases
Walker Institute joins forces with the Government of Queensland to combat the impacts of climate change
Release Date : 28 March 2007
The University of Reading's Walker Institute for Climate System Research has today (Wednesday March 28) formed an alliance with Australia's Government of Queensland to understand climate change and its impacts on agriculture, water resources and the insurance industry.
Professor Gordon Marshall, the University of Reading's Vice-Chancellor, and Mr Peter Beattie, Queensland's Premier, today signed an agreement for international research cooperation aimed at fostering information exchange and research collaboration between the Walker Institute and the new Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence.
The alliance was sealed during a ceremony at Queensland House on the Strand.
Professor Marshall said: "I am delighted we are working in partnership with the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence. Alliances such as these are key to tackling the issue of climate change and allow us to develop further the very good work of both institutions. I am incredibly proud of all the Walker Institute is doing and I am sure this initiative can only add to Reading's already well-established reputation for excellence in this field."
Dr Tim Wheeler, who is leading the Walker Institute's involvement in the project, said: "Our expertise in climate and its effects on agriculture, land-use and water resources will be used to help manage the substantial risks of climate for society and businesses in Queensland. This research collaboration illustrates well the international standing of the University of Reading's Walker Institute."
Dr Rowan Sutton from the Walker Institute said: "The Queensland government has targeted the Walker Institute as an international partner because of its expertise in the impacts of climate on crops and water resources, in tropical weather systems like El Nino and typhoons, and the implications of hazardous weather for the insurance industry."
Premier Beattie said: "This is a major step in addressing the critical issue of climate change. The objective of the collaboration is to support international research activities into climate, agricultural and hydrological systems."
"The Queensland Government is deeply committed to its investment in addressing climate change and adapting to it. Last year we established the $1 billion Queensland Future Growth Fund to help the state meet the challenges of climate change and its effect on our economic development."
Mr Beattie also invited representatives of the Walker Institute to participate in the third Australia-New Zealand Climate Change and Business Conference which will be held in Brisbane in August this year.
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Notes to Editors:
For more information about Walker Institute involvement please contact: University of Reading media relations manager Lucy Ferguson on +44 (0)118 378 7388, or Walker Institute communications manager Kathy Maskell on +44 (0)118 378 7380, or visit the Walker Institute website
The Walker Institute for Climate System Research is a leading UK climate research centre based at the University of Reading. Our research is focussed on understanding climate, in order to deliver better knowledge of future climate and its impacts for the benefit of society.