Minderoo Foundation responds to risks identified by latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report

Scientists are backing urgent global action after the latest United Nations report on climate change reinforced the need for paradigm shifts in human relationship with nature and support for natural defence systems. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released on February 28 found many impacts of global warming were now irreversible, with humans and nature being pushed beyond their abilities to adapt. Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation has worked to respond to some of the key risks identified by the report including investing in marine science and research infrastructure in Exmouth to identify heat-resilient coral communities and build resilience in marine environments, as well as monitoring ocean temperatures and marine heatwaves using a network of smart buoys. Minderoo Foundation planet portfolio director Dr Tony Worby said one of the biggest impacts of climate change was in the ocean. “Most of the heat that ends up in the climate system actually end up in the ocean — the temperatures on land and in the atmosphere would be growing much more quickly if it wasn’t for the ocean absorbing so much of the heat,” he said. “We’re doing work up in Exmouth to understand which corals are more heat-resilient than others so if we do end up in a situation where heat stress causes a lot of problems in the marine environment, we’ll be hopefully one step ahead with our ability to identify those corals that are more heat-resilient and potentially, if we have to restore corals, to know which corals can be used for restoration work.” Dr Worby said the latest IPCC report highlighted the stark impacts of climate change around the world, with built-infrastructure assets at greater risk in some regions, alpine regions and forests less healthy, and fire and flood risk growing. “This report is really highlighting that many of the gravest concerns that were first talked about 32 years ago are actually now really starting to become evident — this is no longer theoretical, this is no longer scientists raising the prospect of a problem that is decades or hundreds of years away,” he said. “It highlights the fact that about 40 per cent of the world’s population live in areas that are highly vulnerable to climate change and that means we’ve got 40 per cent of the world’s population who either are already or may in the very near future really suffer significant consequences. “Some of the worst concerns that scientists have been talking about over the past 30-odd years are really starting to be experienced by not only humans, but all life on the planet.” Minderoo is also developing technologies to identify and extinguish bushfires within one hour including those in remote terrain.