Community members were given the opportunity to ask ‘the big questions’ when it comes to climate change and how it directly impacts us in the NACC NRM region at NACC’s Nature Symposium last Friday.
Themed ‘Research and Innovation in a Changing Climate’, this year’s Goodness Festival “Bright Green” Nature Symposium brought together some of Western Australia’s cutting-edge scientists for an informative, inspiring and highly-interactive event for professionals and passionate community members.
Taking place at the Geraldton University Centre, the symposium featured keynote speakers Ashley Robb, PhD Candidate Curtin University, who spoke on Adaptation talking coastal erosion and inundation; Glen Cook from the Bureau of Meteorology, who talked about improving climate outlooks; Colin Johnson from Batavia Coast Maritime Institute Geraldton, who talked about Midwest fish biodiversity; and Peter Mawson from Perth Zoo, on the impact of climate change on native species in Southwest Australia.
Each of the speakers shared their expertise, insights and advice from the leading edge of their domain, covering a range of interesting topics such as modelling future climates, understanding implications for coastal communities, and researching the adaptive capacity of native fauna species.
A standout from the event was an informal “round table” session during which attendees were able to have direct discussions with the individual speakers and ask them ‘the big questions’ for local climate change preparation and action.
Participants made excellent feedback with one attendee labelling it “inspirational positive, science creativity,” and another obtaining a “better understanding of climate.”