Seven UVic-based scientists sit on UN climate panel

When the world wants to know about climate change it asks the experts. So, it should come as no surprise that seven UVic-based scientists sit on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

"The naming of several UVic-based scientists to this prestigious panel reinforces the world-class stature of our climate research program," says Dr. Martin Taylor, vice president research. "It also demonstrates UVic's commitment to translating the best in research to the development of evidence-based public policy."

Dr. Tom Pedersen, dean of science, adds: "The co-location on campus of Environment Canada's Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) near our school of earth and ocean sciences (SEOS) represents an excellent model of university-government co-operation. The climate change research resulting from this collaboration is among the best in the world. Both UVic and the Canadian government can take great pride in supporting such critically needed work."

The UVic-based members of the panel are: Drs. Ken Denman, Greg Flato and John Fyfe (all CCCma and SEOS); Drs. Nathan Gillett and Andrew Weaver (both SEOS); Dr. Terry Prowse (geography); and Dr. Francis Zwiers (CCCma, SEOS and math & statistics).

The IPCC is regarded as the international authority for conducting assessments of the current state of knowledge about climate change. It was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program following growing concerns about the potential impact of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations on global climate.

The panel is currently working on its Fourth Assessment—which will give greater emphasis to assessing regional impacts of climate change and appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies—due for completion in 2007.