2020 was a year full of uncertainties and changes that no one anticipated.

While climate change was under the spotlight at the start of the year following the devastating 2019/20 bushfires, focus quickly shifted to the COVID-19 pandemic that was rapidly spreading around the world with devastating impact.

In the meantime however, climate change has not stopped. So what climate change impacts have we witnessed in the past year? Are we on track to limit warming to 1.5⁰C and what can we do to respond more effectively?

ANU Climate Update 2021 will present a snapshot of the latest climate research, including newly released data on the climate throughout 2020, and a focus on water and human health. You will hear from climate experts and those working on the transition to a low carbon society. The presentations will be followed by an audience Q&A. 

The event brings together policymakers, business people, researchers, students, media and the wider community. If you're interested in climate change, this is great opportunity to get an understanding of the latest developments and societal responses.

This event will be run as a hybrid, with limited in-person tickets available, and free livestreaming via YouTube for online attendees. Both attendance options require registration - please ensure you are registering for the correct attendance option (online or in-person) when booking your ticket. 

PLEASE NOTE - All in-person attendees are required to check in at the venue using the ACT Government Check in CBR app. This is to ensure that the event is compliant with ACT Government protocols around hosting COVID safe events.

If you are unable to download the app on your phone due to it not having the software capacity, but still wish to attend in person, our staff will check you in using the Check in CBR app on their device upon your arrival. If you do not have your details recorded in the Check in CBR app then you will not be permitted to enter the venue.

Program

Global Climate Overview 2020 - Prof Mark Howden, Director, ANU Climate Change Institute

Climate impacts: Water and Public Health - Dr Aparna Lal, Senior Fellow, ANU Research School of Population Health

Strategies for getting to Net Zero Emissions - Prof Frank Jotzo, Director, ANU Centre for Climate Economics and Policy

Reducing emissions: an investment perspective - Emma Herd, CEO, Investor Group on Climate Change

Audience Q&A

Please only register if you genuinely intend to attend the event. If you find out later that you will be unable to attend , please log in and cancel your ticket so that others can use your place instead.

Join the livestream via YouTube - https://youtu.be/NAcckykVMuM

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE Q&A SESSION - in person and online

We will be incorporating an online platform for Q&A that will run throughout the event.

You can join now by clicking the links below. Add your questions or "like" questions to keep them near the top of the feed. You can add your questions before and during the event so join now to be ready. We will not be taking questions from a roving mic due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Type into your internet browser (or click the link) -

vevox.app

then enter the 9-digit meeting ID

188-253-003

OR download the Vevox app from the app store on your smart device

Links for iOS or Android - After opening the app, enter the 9-digit meeting ID above.

Further info on using Vevox

Vevox does not require users to create an account and you will not be asked to “sign up” to use this platform. There will be the opportunity to add your name when you first connect to the meeting – this is only used as a tag identifier for your questions. If you wish to remain anonymous, please type "anon" or similar when prompted upon entering the website or app. You can change your profile name at any time by clicking on the menu option (top left-hand side of the page) and clicking the pencil icon to edit your profile name.

This thread is moderated, any posts with derogatory or offensive language will not be posted. Please ensure you are asking a question about the event, comments and advertisements will also not be published.

We welcome comments for discussion on social media platforms, and you can tag us by using the handles @ANU_Climate for Twitter and @ANUClimate for Facebook. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at climate@anu.edu.au. If you would like to see more about us, go to our website at climate.anu.edu.au

NB: Vevox uses a persistent connection to give you live updates of the question feed. If your security or firewall settings prevent these types of connections, please give access to "*.vevox.app" on your internet browser's firewall settings. Vevox Q&A discussion boards operate over HTTPS which is a secure connection. Vevox never transmits data over unencrypted channels. All data to/from their systems is encrypted in-transit.

For more information on this process see the Vevox website here

Getting to the lecture theatre

We strongly advise using public transport, taxi, cycling or walking rather than driving where possible. If you have to drive, parking information for Acton campus can be found here - please read thoroughly to understand the options.

COVID-19 information

There is a low risk factor at this event for the spread of COVID-19, however, there will be precautions in place to ensure that everyone's health and safety is a priority. If you are sick or have symptoms or if you have recently travelled to/from a corona hot spot or overseas recently, please do not attend this event in person. Seating will be spaced to comply with current guidelines for social distancing, we also ask that you remain at least 1.5 metres away from others at the event, no touching or hand shaking. We will be providing hand sanitizer at multiple locations for your use, please clean your hands often and minimise touching you face; we also recommend that you wear a mask when at this event. There will be signage and protocol officers in attendance to help keep you informed on COVID safe practices. If you attend in-person, we will keep a record of your name and contact details for 28 days for contact tracing purposes.

Image: A photograph of Burleigh Heads, at the Gold Coast, during a dust storm in 2009. Increasing climatic variability may see more frequent dust storms across Australia.

Image credit: Michael Dawes / Flickr