Public Event 

Extreme heatwaves are landscape-scale shocks to our natural, agricultural and social systems that occur against the backdrop of rising mean temperatures. Their increasing severity is posing major societal challenges. With each passing season, high temperature records are being broken globally, with heatwaves now occurring across more than 10% of the Earth’s terrestrial surfaces (up from 1% in the 1960s). Australia is especially vulnerable to extreme heat challenges, with life-threatening heatwaves becoming more frequent and severe across the continent.

Join the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Academy of Science to explore how we are preparing nature and society for a hotter world.  The evening conversation is the public session of a larger two-day conference that is exploring current knowledge, highlight gaps, and shape future research collaborations both locally and internationally that seek to develop environmental, technical, and social solutions to address the challenges of extreme heat.

This dynamic debate will be chaired by Professor Joan Leach, former Director of the Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science featuring:

• Andrew Feldman*, Assistant Research Scientist, Biospheric Sciences Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center & University of Maryland
• Ary Hoffman, Professor & Chair of Ecological Genetics, University of Melbourne
• Carmel Reyes, Climate Action and Sustainability Manager, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
• Peter Susanto, 2024 NT Young Australian of the Year and youth representative @ COP29
• Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, Professor of Climate Science, Australian National University
• Xuemei Bai, Distinguished Professor of Urban Environment and Human Ecology, ARC Laureate Fellow, Australian National University

 * pre-recorded presentation

Canapes and drinks will be served from 5.30pm, with the panel discussion from 6:00pm AEST. 

Come along early to hear about the latest research projects from PhD students and Early Career Researchers during a poster session starting at 5:00pm.

Venue: The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT

Cost: $20pp | $10pp for ECRs & Students

Register now! Registrations close 14 September.