Climate change opens 'Irish Times' lectures

You can't count on the weather but you can count on a changed climate for Ireland by 2030.

Gauging the amount of change we are likely to see will be the first topic discussed during the opening talk in the RDS/ Irish Times"Ireland in 2030" lecture series.

Taking place in the RDS, the series will examine the serious long-term challenges that face the people of Ireland. The aim of the series is to raise awareness of what we can each do to help meet major challenges in the years ahead.

Climate change is the first topic to arise, with a talk by leading international climate researcher, Prof Richard CJ Somerville, distinguished professor emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.

Prof Somerville is a theoretical meteorologist and also a co-ordinating lead author in Working Group I for the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published in 2007 (see http://www.ipcc.ch).

His talk, Global Warming: The last word on the best science, takes place in the RDS Concert Hall at 7pm on Wednesday, September 5th.

He will comment on the findings in the latest IPCC report and consider what the implications will be for rising sea level, disruptions in weather patterns, and other aspects of our climate. "Scientists now have new observations of how the earth is changing, new research on what to expect in the future and new ideas on what we can do about it," he says.

Prof Somerville's research interests include geophysical fluid dynamics, thermal convection, computational methods, predictability, atmospheric modelling, numerical weather prediction, radiative transfer, cloud physics, and climate. In addition to his work as a researcher, Prof Somerville is active in science education and outreach. He is also the author of an award-winning book, The Forgiving Air: Understanding Environmental Change.

Admission to the lecture at the RDS is free but places must be booked. To book a place contact the automated booking line at 1550-114705 and from the North, 0906-604-0245. After the tone, leave your name and telephone number, remembering to speak slowly and clearly.

Each caller may book a maximum of two seats and the booking phone lines will remain open until all places have been reserved. Please note that tickets will not be issued but the booking confirms your place at the lecture. Calls cost 95 cent a minute (60p a minute from the North). Calls from mobiles may be more expensive. Service provided by Phonovation Ltd. (01) 284 4060.

For more information, see http://www.rds.ie/home/index.aspx?id=1922