The potential impacts of climate change and what it might mean for our regional community will be the focus of the second free Kerferd Discussion Night in Beechworth on 22 May.
Five discussion nights on the theme of climate change are being held in the lead up to this year’s Kerferd Oration on Sunday, 29 July, which will feature Deputy Premier and Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change John Thwaites.
The discussion nights feature Beechworth speakers who have a particular interest in climate change and who can guide participants to explore the complex and controversial issue of this year’s theme.
The second discussion night will be led by Beechworth resident Dr Rik Thwaites, Senior Lecturer in Ecotourism at Charles Sturt University.
“The first discussion night with Dr Catherine Meathrel was a great success with more than 60 people taking part,” Kerferd Oration community committee member Joan Simms said.
“Dr Meathrel really set the scene and Dr Thwaites presentation will flow on from this and focus on how we can plan and adapt to climate change.”
Dr Thwaites is a social scientist whose main research interests lie in the nexus between communities and conservation. His interest in climate change arose while working with the Australian Antarctic Division in the 1980s when his projects in Antarctica and China were related to assessing and understanding the changing global climate.
Most recently Dr Thwaites completed a research project with the North Central Catchment Management Authority looking at farmer awareness and perceptions of climate change impacts and required adaptation for actions.
“Climate change is upon us,” Dr Thwaites said. “We need to consider what a climate change future might be like, and to plan for change rather than stability. This will require a whole new way of thinking and understanding.
“This discussion night will consider some of the potential impacts of climate change, and what they might mean for our regional community. Questions will be raised regarding the implications of climate change for different sectors of our community and society in general. Given the uncertainty in predicting the future, consideration will be given as to how we might shape our own future.”
The Kerferd Discussion Night featuring Dr Thwaites will be held La Trobe University Beechworth’s Kerferd Room from 7-9.30pm. This is a free event and no RSVP is necessary.
The 2007 Kerferd Oration program is jointly sponsored by Indigo Shire Council, La Trobe University Beechworth and WAW Credit Union. For more information about the 2007 Kerferd Oration program visit www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au.
