The integration of climate change considerations into local air quality management plans: the case of Durban
In recent years there has been considerable advancement in our scientific understanding of the linkages and interactions between climate change and air quality. A warmer, evolving climate is likely to have severe consequences for air quality due to impacts on pollution sources and meteorology. In this talk, CSIR researcher Tirusha Thambiran explores the complex linkages between climate change, air quality policy, the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act and the local air quality management plans of a city like Durban.
Speaker: Tirusha Thambiran, air quality specialist, CSIR Natural Resources and the Environment
Date: Wednesday 31 August
Time: 11:00 to 13:00 (light lunch included)
Venue: Sharks Boardroom, CSIR, Durban (with video conferencing to Pretoria)
RSVP: knowledgecommons@csir.co.za

Thursday 8 September
Building resilience to climate change: South African style
In this talk, Dr Belinda Reyers explores the links between people and ecosystems. Specialising in ecosystem services, she will describe some of the innovative ways South Africans are preparing for climate change. This includes out-of-the-box thinking about the way our ecosystems and social systems work and interact.
Speakers: Dr Belinda Reyers, CSIR Natural Resources and the Environment
Date: Thursday 6 October 2011
Time: 11:00 to 12:30
Venue: CSIR Knowledge Commons, Pretoria
RSVP: knowledgecommons@csir.co.za

Friday 14 October
Potential impacts of climate change on human health
How will climate change affect my health in the coming years? That's a tough question to answer. Environmental health scientists Dr Caradee Wright (CSIR) and Dr Jane Olwoch (University of Pretoria) will discuss some of the emerging issues and debates about the potential impacts of a changing climate on human health and healthcare systems.
Speakers: Dr Caradee Wright, CSIR Natural Resources and the Environment; Dr Jane Olwoch, Department of Geography, University of Pretoria
Date:  Friday 14 October 2011
Time: 11:00 to 12:30
Venue: CSIR Knowledge Commons, Pretoria
RSVP: knowledgecommons@csir.co.za

Friday 28 October
In a warming climate, just how predictable are temperature extremes at weather and seasonal time scales?
Speaker: Dr Willem Landman, atmospheric modeller, CSIR Natural Resources and the Environment
Date:  Friday 28 October
Time: 11:00 to 12:30
Venue: CSIR Knowledge Commons, Pretoria
RSVP: knowledgecommons@csir.co.za

PREVIOUS TALKS AND RECORDINGS
Projected climate futures for southern Africa, 5 August 2011
Atmospheric modeller, Dr Francois Engelbrecht, will gaze in the climate crystal ball for this first talk in the COP17@CSIR series of Science Talks. According to an extensive set of climate projections recently performed at CSIR, it is likely that southern Africa will experience rapid rises in surface temperature over the coming decades. As the greenhouse effect strengthens in time, regional patterns of rainfall and evaporation are likewise projected to display a pronounced signal of anthropogenic forcing.
RECORDING: http://streaming.csir.co.za/view.aspx?id=3150~4j~J3Mgk8us

Green on the cheap: some innovative ideas for a greener lifestyle, 12 August
According to CSIR researcher Nuveshen Naidoo, you don't need to have green to be green. Talking from experience after recently greening his apartment, he highlights practical and effective methods - with the help of some technologies, tools and modifications - to reduce your electricity use without breaking the bank.
RECORDING: http://streaming.csir.co.za/view.aspx?id=3154~4n~NPVu9hmJ

Media enquiries: Tendani Tsedu   Tel: (012) 841 3417

Useful links
Official COP17 website
The officialUNFCCC website
Environmental Affairs
COP17 blog

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