Two Business Events Sydney (BESydney) Ambassadors witnessed an idea hatched over the dinner table come to fruition, when over 45 business and community leaders gathered in Sydney last month to hear the facts on climate change from a panel of leading scientists.
At a BESydney networking event with leading international science editors in June, BESydney Ambassadors Dr Noel Barton AM and Dr Graeme Batley discussed the need for the business community to get answers to questions about climate science– straight from the mouths of the experts. Four months later, with major input from Science and Technology Australia (STA), Climate Science for Business Champions was held at the CSIRO facilities in Lindfield. STA represents over 68000 scientists and technologists in Australia and this activity was consistent with their goal to promote the understanding and respect for science among the community.
“We saw the need for a forum where leading Australian experts on climate science were on hand to present the scientific facts in the absence of politics or media spin. The facts speak for themselves when explained in a way that non-scientists can understand” comments Graeme Batley, a Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO Land and Water.
The event included presentations and an informative panel discussion with leading climate scientists:
· Dr Mike Raupach on the carbon cycle and agriculture
· Prof. Tony McMichael on human health
· Prof. Lesley Hughes on terrestrial ecosystems
· Dr Ben McNeil on marine ecosystems
· Dr John Hunter on coastal infrastructure, and
· Dr Sandra Shuster, addressing climate change impacts on risk and liability.
Dr Barton, founder of renewable energy business Sunoba Pty Ltd, adds, “We received a great response from attendees who valued the opportunity to get answers in person from these world-leading scientists. Likewise the scientists appreciated the platform to share their knowledge and insight in a spin-free environment.”
Business Events Sydney’s Ambassador network includes over 54 professional leaders who offer their abilities, advice and connections to generate business leads and open doors for Australia’s number one convention bureau.
As Lyn Lewis-Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sydney comments,
“Business Events Sydney’s ambassador program embraces extremely high calibre and future-focused individuals. The conception of this event is another testament to this. From modest beginnings over dinner, this event left a lasting impression on those gathered and we hope to see the event continue and grow in the future.”
