Welcome to the RIsCCS website

The Research Institute for Climate Change
and Sustainability was established as a joint initiative of the University of Adelaide
and the Government of South Australia in December 2006.

It is widely acknowledged that the planet has become warmer over the past century and that much of the observed warming has been due to increases in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the most significant of which is carbon dioxide.

Most of the climate change likely to be observed over the next few decades will result from greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. Further it is unlikely that greenhouse gases will be stabilised in the atmosphere for several decades and therefore climate patterns will continue to change.

In order to address these anticipated changes the Research Institute is undertaking research to mitigate carbon emissions and develop adaptive strategies to respond to the anticipated impacts of climate change.

Responding to climate change: Carbon trading and carbon offsetting
7 October 2008
Hear speakers with very different perspectives on the effectiveness, social equity, financial and environmental implications of carbon offsetting and carbon trading under the Federal Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. This special forum to be chaired by RIsCCS Director Professor Barry Brook. More details (doc 66kB).

The Environmental Activist Conference “Climate Emergency—No More Business As Usual!”
10-11 October 2008
An event to to initiate wide-ranging discussion that will include exchanges between teachers, climate scientists and educators, activists and community organisations, environmental groups and concerned individuals. RIsCCS Director Barry Brook will speak at the public forum and a workshop. Event details at the conference website.