SCIENTISTS TOO VALUABLE TO LET GO

The Tasmanian Greens today have called for tripartite support for the ongoing funding of the Hobart-based Antarctic, Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC), which is due to cease by July 2014.

Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said it is bitterly disappointing that the Australian Government could discontinue funding the ACE CRC and urged the Commonwealth to find a way to continue to support this critically import Centre and the work it undertakes.

“Funding for the ACE CRC runs out in July 2014 and while this particular pool of funding was always time-limited, the scientific endeavours that are currently being undertaken are too integral to global knowledge about our changing climate and ecosystems to end here.”

“The Tasmanian Greens have called on both State Labor and State Liberals parties to join with us to ensure that the Commonwealth does provide ongoing funding to this internationally significant Cooperative Research Centre.”

“Hobart has established a reputation as a global scientific hub, a hotbed of climate science endeavour, and a gateway to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, and we attract brilliant scientific minds from all over the world.”

“We can now boast the highest per capita concentration of scientists in the southern hemisphere, brought together through the successful collaboration between the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, and its core partners the Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO, and UTAS.”

It is fitting recognition that from 13-19 January 2013, Tasmania will host more than 200 leading climate scientists from around the world, as they gather for the Fourth Lead Authors Meeting of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at Wrest Point in Hobart.

“Undoubtedly, a large part of why Hobart was chosen was because of the nationally and internationally renowned work of the ACE CRC, CSIRO, UTAS, and the Australian Antarctic Division and the many brilliant scientists involved.”

“This wealth of knowledge within our population is priceless and yet without a reassurance about continued funding this concentrated endeavour is at risk.”

“If the Australian Government pursues this course and no other funding source can be found, Tasmania will lose some of its top scientists, along with their local and global networks, their astounding knowledge and participation in our local communities.”

Download:
120925_Milne_letter_to_PM.pdf
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Environment Spokesperson Tuesday, 25 September 2012