On 24 November 2020 The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF) and AEF hosted a Zoom webinar on the reforms needed to environmental science. You can catch the video of the event on the Forum’s YouTube channel here.

The speakers were: geophysicist, Dr Peter Ridd; science blogger, Jo Nova; and economist, Alan Moran.

They began by outlining the scientific failures in some of the most critical areas of Australian environmental policy. Peter Ridd spoke about the problems with research on the Great Barrier Reef, while Jo Nova focussed on bushfire prevention and management and Alan Moran on the Murray-Darling Basin.

Their subsequent discussion highlighted the problems were systematic; they affected every aspect, not only, of how environmental research is conducted but also the way its results are checked, validated and communicated to government and the public. It made clear the task of fixing these problems went well beyond the halls of science.

Attendees were able to submit questions to the panel. Unfortunately, there were more questions than time to answer all of them in the detail they deserved.

The post-webinar survey of attendees indicated a high level of satisfaction with the event. So much so that respondent expressed strong support for a future event to discuss the key issues in more depth.

The Webinar was the latest in a series commemorating the life and work of Professor Bob Carter, who was an AEF Director and its Scientific Adviser up to the time of his death. AEF was therefore most gratified that Anne Cater, Bob’s widow, was able to attend.