Cape Town, 18 January 2008 – On 2 February 2008, Iziko Museums of Cape Town will host a one-day symposium on climate change. This event will take place from 09h30 to 14h30 at the Iziko South African Museum.

Climate change is believed to be an irreversible phenomenon that has already contributed to the death of millions of humans and animals in different parts of the world. Some animal species are already threatened by extinction. The number of humans displaced by flooding, earthquakes and drought increases daily. South Africa is predicted to be one of the geographical terrains that will be heavily affected by this natural catastrophe. Climate change therefore poses a huge challenge to government, institutions of higher learning, heritage institutions and ordinary citizens of our country.

The symposium focuses on unpacking the challenge of climate change from a variety of perspectives and hopes to clarify what societies and communities can do to mitigate the effects of this crisis. The symposium will be chaired by South African-born Professor George Philander, who is the Knox-Taylor Professor of Geosciences at Princeton University and Research Director of the African Centre for Climate Earth System Science (ACCESS).

Shirley Moroka, Director for Atmospheric Policy Regulation & Planning, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, explains government’s strategy on climate change. Her unit deals with regulating and developing laws, setting standards and planning for air quality management.

Dr Roger Smith, a palaeontologist based at Iziko, reveals how change in our global climate contributed to the mass extinction of plant and animal species some 251 million years ago.

Leonie Joubert, a science journalist who specialises in writing about climate change, biodiversity, natural history, land use and energy, and is the author of a newly published book on climate change entitled ‘Scorched’, discusses how climate change affects vulnerable communities.

Robert Zipplies, a business consultant and expert on sustainability, who is also writing a book on climate change, talks about the role of business in addressing climate change.

Lastly, Prof Bruce Hewitson, a climatologist based at the University of Cape Town who holds the National Research Foundation’s Research Chair for Climate Change, gives new insight into research on the subject.

For further information about the programme, please contact Wandile Kasibe at Tel. 021 481 3804/13 or email wkasibe@iziko.org.za.. Detailed information can be accessed on our website, at www.iziko.org.za.

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