Hunt signals new start for climate science at CSIRO

SBS World News Radio: Climate research will once again be a core priority for Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO, following intervention from new science minister Greg Hunt.

Hunt signals new start for climate science at CSIROHunt signals new start for climate science at CSIRO

Hunt signals new start for climate science at CSIRO

Earlier this year, CSIRO head Larry Marshall cut climate staff and programs, saying the agency was shifting its focus from how the climate was changing to what to do about it.

Now, Mr Hunt says a new strategy will be developed which includes putting the focus back on climate science.

New science minister Greg Hunt sums up the attitude on climate science of Malcolm Turnbull's new Government this way:

Climate science is important, significant and critical to Australia's long-term planning.

And Mr Hunt has told the ABC the Government's stance has been communicated to the CSIRO.

"It's something that both the Prime Minister and I have clear and strong views on. And we have clearly, but respectfully, made that known to the CSIRO, and they've embraced and endorsed the direction. And so climate science will be a bedrock function for research of the CSIRO, which is really one of the world's great institutions."

The new strategy includes 15 new climate science jobs and investment worth $37 million over 10 years.

It comes just months after severe cuts, including proposed staff cuts in climate-change monitoring and modelling, had drawn criticism from the science field in Australia and abroad.

In the United States, top NASA scientist Brent Holben had said the CSIRO cuts risked diminishing the world's ability to monitor and predict climate change.

The new CSIRO strategy will be developed in consultation with Chief Scientist Alan Finkel and the science community.

Greg Hunt says the changes will mean the CSIRO is well-resourced.

"The climate-science capacity is approximately a hundred at the end of this process. It will now increase to 115. And I think it's also important to note that the CSIRO's overall budget will increase over the next three years by approximately $100 million, and its overall staffing levels will increase by over 200, as opposed to where they were expected to be."

The peak group for Australia's scientists, Science and Technology Australia, has welcomed the announcement.

Its chief executive is Kylie Walker.

"We, of course, welcome any measures to strengthen and stabilise CSIRO and its capacity to continue to conduct world-class science and the translation of science for the benefit of our community."

Australia is currently without a science strategy, which former chief scientist Philip Chubb had warned could leave Australia falling behind other nations.

STA's Kylie Walker says some work being done by Mr Chubb's successor is a step towards a national science strategy.

"Well, the current chief scientist, Alan Finkel, is currently undertaking a consultation process on the national-research-infrastructure capability issues paper that was published last month, and that is certainly a tangible step in building a science strategy for the nation and STA. I think all of the science sector agrees that we do need a strong, long-term, robust science strategy."

 






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