Climate Conversations forum

There is a trend for Australia’s 50,000 to 60,000 annual bushfires to increase in size, severity and intensity. The Climate Institute believes that with the current progress of climate change, Victoria could, on average, have a ‘Black Saturday’ level event every two or three years. Yet, as with many of our climate change responses, the response to bushfire is still operating in the old world paradigm. This is in terms of the scale of response, the ability to move from silos to an integrated response, the inclusiveness of the response, and the failure to utilise many possible preventative measures. This seminar suggests a new model of bushfire prevention as well as a discussion about how we can minimize the impact of those fires that occur.

When: 12:30-1:30pm, Tues 27 September
Where: Rm 448, Level 4, Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne
Click for map

Free seminar, but RSVP is essential
RSVP: cdenby@unimelb.edu.au

Speakers

A/Prof Janet Stanley is a Principal Research Fellow in Urban Social Resilience at MSSI, a consultant in Sustainable Policy, and Director of the National Centre for Research in Bushfire & Arson.  Her work involves strategic responses to social, environmental and economic challenges in the context of social equality and climate change with particular interests in policy, bushfire, social inclusion and transport.

A/Prof Alan March is Associate Dean (under-graduate), and Director of Bachelor of Environments and Bachelor of Design, School of Design. Alan’s publications and research include examination of the practical governance mechanisms of planning and urban design, and the ways that planning systems can successfully manage change and transition as circumstances change, especially in relation to emergencies and establishing resilience.

Dr Paul Read is shortly to take up a position with MSSI to undertake research on bushfire. Paul is also a senior lecturer in Psychology, teaching Post-Graduate Diploma, Masters, and honours students at Monash Faculty of Medicine, and a Director of the National Centre for Research in Bushfire & Arson. He undertakes research on the interface between social, economic and environmental sustainability and climate change, as well as the prevention of bushfire arson.

email: mssi-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
phone: 03 9035 8235

Feature image: Adelaide Hills Fire. Stephen Beaumont