Brisbane’s resilience to climate change shocks will be under the spotlight at the city’s first ‘Climathon’, hosted by QUT.
The global event, which will take place in more than 80 cities around the world, aims to devise innovative solutions to a local climate change problem.
Academics, students and members of the Brisbane community will be guided by expert facilitators as they address the challenge: “How can Brisbane become more resilient to flooding, drought, heat waves and other climate shocks?”
A judging panel will award a prize for the most impressive idea.
Dr Mark Gibbs, QUT Director, Knowledge to Innovation, said it was essential to explore new ideas to make communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
“As the climate becomes more variable, extreme weather events are more likely so we have to be ready to respond to the challenges they bring,” he said.
“As a low-lying ‘river city’, Brisbane is of course particularly vulnerable to flooding damage and climate-driven sea level rises will only exacerbate the risks. So it is essential to develop sustainable and inventive solutions to empower and protect our communities.”
Climathon was established in 2015 by the Climate-KIC Program in the lead-up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris. It is held in cooperation with major universities, research centres and governments throughout the world.
The Brisbane Climathon is a collaboration of QUT’s Institute for Future Environments, Griffith University's National Climate Change Adaption Research Facility and Green Cross Australia. It is supported by Suncorp.
The event, on Saturday October 29, takes place from 9am-4pm. Those interested in attending can REGISTER by October 23.
Media contact:
Rob Kidd, QUT Media, 07 3138 1841, rj.kidd@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
