June 24, 2013
Public Lecture: The wettest drought on record – the weather of 2012
[Previously postponed event]
During Bangor Science Festival Geraint Vaughan, Professor Of Atmospheric Science at Manchester University will be giving a public lecture: The wettest drought on record – the weather of 2012.
2012 began with predictions of drought and with hose pipe bans beginning as early as March in some parts of the UK. The 3-month outlook released by the Met Office UK originally forecast: “…average UK rainfall slightly favours drier than average conditions for April-May-June as a whole, and also slightly favours April being the driest of the 3 months. With this forecast, the water resources situation in southern, eastern and central England is likely to deteriorate further during the April-May-June period”. However, April and June ended up being the wettest months recorded, since records began in 1910.
Clearly, predicting month to month variations in rainfall at long-lead times remains very difficult. There are a number of factors influencing the climate system and our weather. Sea ice cover in the Arctic Ocean can act as a mirror reflecting heat back into the atmosphere but as it melts, the dark ocean becomes a heat sink for the sun’s rays, warming the earth’s surface. The position of the jetstream – the atmospheric circulation that drives our prevailing west to east flow of weather systems – appears to have been a major contributing factor behind the high rainfall last year. Evidence suggests that during March and April there appeared to be a ‘blocking pattern’ in the jetstream’s path – causing its deviation to the north and south of its usual eastward progress.
What is the science behind the extensive high rainfall and extreme flooding events during 2012? Come and find out from one of the world’s leading experts – Professor Geraint Vaughan.
This event jointly sponsored by Royal Meteorological Society and C3W.
Professor Vaughan is a native of North Wales and Welsh language speaker. He gained his BA from Cambridge University and DPhil from Oxford University. Geraint started his research career in the Meteorological Office, initially on rocket-borne measurements of mesospheric ozone, then on airborne measurements of stratosphere-troposphere exchange. In 1984 he joined the Physics department at the University of Wales Aberystwyth, moving to University of Manchester as Professor of Atmospheric Science in January 2005.
geraint vaughan lecture Poster
Dechreuodd 2012 gyda darogan sychder ac mewn rhai rhannau o Brydain dechreuwyd gwahardd pobl rhag defnyddio pibellau dŵr mor fuan â mis Mawrth. Dyma’r rhagolygon 3 mis gwreiddiol a gafwyd gan Swyddfa Dywydd y DU: “bydd glawiad arferol yn y DU yn debygol o arwain at amodau ychydig sychach na’r arfer yn ystod Ebrill-Mai-Mehefin yn eu cyfanrwydd, gydag Ebrill y mis sychaf o’r tri o ryw ychydig. Gyda’r rhagolwg hwn, mae’r sefyllfa gydag adnoddau dŵr yn ne, dwyrain a chanol Lloegr yn debygol o ddirywio ymhellach yn ystod y cyfnod Ebrill-Mai-Mehefin.” Fodd bynnag, y sefyllfa mewn gwirionedd oedd yr Ebrill a’r Mehefin gwlypaf a gofnodwyd ers dechrau cadw cofnodion yn 1910.
Mae’n amlwg bod darogan amrywiadau mewn glawiad o fis i fis gryn amser ymlaen yn parhau’n dasg anodd iawn. Mae nifer o ffactorau’n dylanwadu ar y system hinsawdd a’n tywydd. Gall gorchudd rhew môr yng Nghefnfor yr Arctig weithredu fel drych yn adlewyrchu gwres yn ôl i’r atmosffer ond, wrth iddo doddi, mae’r cefnfor tywyll yn sugno gwres o belydrau’r haul, gan gynhesu arwyneb y ddaear. Mae’n ymddangos bod safle’r jetlif – y llif atmosfferig sy’n gyrru ein systemau tywydd gorllewin i ddwyrain mynychaf – wedi bod yn ffactor o bwys tu ôl i’r glawiad uchel a gafwyd y llynedd. Mae tystiolaeth yn awgrymu bod llwybr arferol y jetlif wedi cael ei atal yn ystod Mawrth ac Ebrill, gan achosi iddo wyro i’r gogledd ac i’r de o’i lwybr dwyreiniol arferol.
Beth yw’r wyddoniaeth sydd y tu ôl i’r glawiad hynod uchel a’r llifogydd enbyd a welwyd yn ystod 2012? Dewch i gael clywed gan un o arbenigwyr amlycaf y byd yn y maes – Yr Athro Geraint Vaughan. Mae’r Athro Vaughan yn frodor o Ogledd Cymru ac yn siaradwr Cymraeg. Cafodd ei radd BA o Brifysgol Caergrawnt a DPhil o Brifysgol Rhydychen. Dechreuodd Geraint ei yrfa ymchwil yn y Swyddfa Dywydd. Bu’n gweithio i ddechrau ar fesuriadau osôn mesosfferig, ac yna ar fesuriadau cyfnewid stratosffer- troposffer. Yn 1984 ymunodd ag Adran Ffiseg Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth gan symud yn Ionawr 2005 i Brifysgol Manceinion fel Athro Gwyddoniaeth Atmosfferig.
June 26, 2013
Severn Barrage and Tidal Energy Conference
The conference, organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers, will address the subject of energy from tidal power in the Severn Estuary, and the possible effects of a propsed barrage. Issues of construction & design, economics and effects on wildlife habitats will be discussed.
Keynote address - Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales
Interest in the proposals for the Severn Barrage and Tidal Energy schemes is growing. The Institution of Civil Engineers Wales Cymru with the Royal Academy of Engineering is hosting a major one day conference to consider the issues and learn the latest on the proposals. Speakers include Rt Hon Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, Prof Roger Falconer and Prof Chris Binnie.
In conjunction with Cardiff University and ICE South West
Supported by Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management
Standard Delegate rate is £108 (£90 + VAT)
Student rate is £51 (£42.50 + VAT)
June 27, 2013 – June 28, 2013
NERC KE Workshop ‘Communicating Environmental Science’
NERC Water Security Knowledge Exchange Programme,
A two-day workshop on: “Communicating Environmental Science”. The workshop will be run jointly by the Wales Environment Research Hub (WERH), the NERC Water Security Knowledge Exchange Programme (WSKEP) and the Climate Change Consortium for Wales (C3W). It will expose approximately 50 participants to good practice in outreach and communication of scientific research. By providing science providers and end-users with successful examples of evidence-gathering and dissemination,the event will promote the flow of research outputs to a wide audience of stakeholders in government, academia, industry and civil society. The workshop will include presentations by specialists in the translation of scientific case studies into policy guidance.
Visit the WERH website for booking forms, rationale, full details of the programme, and accommodation
Day 1 – Thursday 27 June, 2013
- Introduction to Knowledge Exchange
- Workshop introduction and context
- Overview of NERC and KE Programmes
- Matthew Goodwin Keynote Address: Engaging academics with policy
- Communicating science – interactive sessions I & 2
- Introduction to the interactive session on making science relevant and
- engaging audiences
- Exercise 1 – know your topic and keep your message simple
- Exercise 2 – know your audience and tailor your presentation to their
- interests, concerns and expectations
- Communicating science effectively
- Parallel poster
- session
- Public engagement with science
- Knowledge exchange for behaviour change
- Using the video medium for explaining research outputs
- Communicating science – interactive session 3
- Exercise 3 – how to devise “hooks” that link what we want to communicate
- with the interests of the target audience
Evening – Dinner at Blue Sky Restaurant, Bangor
Day 2 – Friday 28 June, 2013
- Science into practice – industry end-users
- The UK Water Research and Innovation Partnership
- An industry perspective on research needs and knowledge transfer
- Science into Policy – progress and products
- The science into policy work of the Government Office for Science
- Activities of the National Assembly of Wales Research Service
- DEFRA and Environment Agency science reporting
- Science and Impact
- Knowledge strategy (Natural Resources Wales)
- Evidence synthesis using systematic review
- Evidence into practice
- Pathways to Impact and the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
- Knowledge Exchange case study: the EU-FP7 “FishPopTrace” project
A number of parallel poster sessions will run throughout the event.
Chairs/Speakers
Alice Bell Head of Public Engagement, SPRU Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex
Prof Gary Carvalho Professor of Molecular Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University
Tony Coll Director, Tony Coll Associates
Dr Adam Corner Understanding Risk Research Group, School of Psychology, Cardiff University
Dr Faith Culshaw UK Water Research and Innovation Partnership (Living with Environmental Change Programme)
Dr Mike Evans tbc Head of Evidence, Knowledge and Advice, Natural Resources Wales
Dr Mark Everard University of the West of England and Risk Adviser, Environment Agency
Charlie Falzon Institute for Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University
Prof Matthew Goodwin School of Politics and International Relations, Nottingham University
Dr Tony Harrington Director (Environment), Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water
Dr Kathryn Monk Science Strategy Manager, Natural Resources Wales
Dr Saskia Pagella Programme Manager, Climate Change Consortium for Wales
Dr Tim Pagella Science Information Officer, Wales Environment Research Hub
Prof Andrew Pullin Director, Centre for Evidence-based Conservation, Bangor University
Prof Jo Rycroft-Malone School of Healthcare Sciences, Bangor University
Dr Shaun Russell Director, Wales Environment Research Hub
Prof James Scourse School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University and Director, Climate Change Consortium for Wales
Dr Elizabeth Warham Government Office for Science, Department for Business Innovation and Skills
Dr Graham Winter National Assembly of Wales, Research Service
Funded by NERC and organised by the Wales Environment Research Hub and C3W
September 16, 2013 – September 17, 2013
C3W Annual Conference 2013
For the community of Welsh climate scientists to come together and focus on the grand challenges of climate change.
This year’s meeting will take the form of four C3W grand challenge poster/networking sessions each kicking off with a couple of high-profile keynote speakers.
Monday 16th September
Intro James Scourse
Earth Systems Modelling Matthias Green (Bangor) Peter North (Swansea)
Lunch & Poster session
Sea Level and Oceanographic Changes Tavi Murray (Swansea) Ian Hall (Cardiff)
Poster session/ wine reception followed by Conference Dinner
Tuesday 17th September
Welsh Dimension of Climate Change Nick Pidgeon (Cardiff) Shaun Russell (Bangor)
Coffee & Poster session
Ecosystem Impacts and Feedbacks Jamie Newbold (Aber) Pippa Moore (Aber) Chris Freeman (Bangor)
Costs: £25 per day registration (includes lunch, coffee, evening wine reception);
University accommodation available (£37 / night); Conference dinner (Monday, at Grape and Olive, Swansea Marina) £30
Conference Application Form
Mae’n bleser gennym gyhoeddi y cynhelir Cynhadledd Flynyddol Consortiwm Newid Hinsawdd Cymru ar 16-17 Medi 2013 ar Gampws Singleton, Prifysgol Abertawe. Bydd y cyfarfod eleni ar ffurf sesiynau rhwydweithio/poster yn ymwneud â heriau mawr C3W ac i ddechrau pob sesiwn ceir anerchiad gan siaradwr blaenllaw.
Dyma heriau mawr C3W:
- Modelu Systemau’r Ddaear;
- Newid yn Lefel y Môr;
- Gwerthuso Peryglon a Risg;
- Y Dimensiwn Cymreig ynglŷn â Newid Hinsawdd;
- Effeithiau ar yr Ecosystem ac Adborth;
September 18, 2013 – September 20, 2013
Human Dimensions of Climate Change Conference : The Politics of Food and Water Security in Africa
Immediately following this year’s Annual C3W Conference, in Swansea, the David Davies Memorial Institute of International Studies are hosting the C3W Human Dimensions of Climate Change Conference, in Aberystwyth University’s Department of International Politics.
CONFERENCE SUMMARY
Food and water security are the most basic human needs, and Africa is the continent where those needs are most urgently felt. While meeting this challenge involves considerable scientific and technical input, this conference focuses on the politics that are at the heart of the matter. Progress in delivering human security in Africa is confronted by multiple problems, from historical issues such as international and civil war, state weakness, corruption, land degradation, and foreign exploitation, to predictable crises resulting from climate change and population growth. Political tensions are heightened by underlying structural dynamics in both the global political economy of food and in transnational water governance; and by the ever-present danger of food and water shortages and the hampering of relief efforts by conflict.
FOCUS AND THEMES
The conference will focus on the multiple dimensions of ‘the politics of food and water security’. To bring this out thematically, the conference will address four distinct levels at which politics can be seen to operate in the African context. These levels, of course, are interdependent, but they can usefully be separated for analysis in order to examine what International Relations specialists are used to calling the ‘causal weight’ and ‘texture’ of each. The levels are:
- the global (particularly the global political economy and its institutions);
- the international (particularly international and regional multilateral organisations such as the UN, the AU, and EAC, SADC, ECOWAS, etc);
- the state (particularly where state and society dynamics interact, as with land reform questions); and
- the local/grassroots level (where particular consideration can be given to social movements, rural/urban relations, and ‘civil society’).
CONFERENCE AIMS
- to raise and clarify the scholarly and public profile of the political issues at the heart of food and water security challenges in Africa, with a particular concern for the perceived implications of climate change;
- to establish a persuasive agenda in relation to scholarly research and policy initiatives at all levels, from the global to the local;
- to help public policy engage more effectively with the fundamental problems.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
This conference will bring together panels of prominent international experts from the academic and policy worlds. We hope it will result in prominent international publications.
Professor Ken Booth (DDMI)
Professor Fantu Cheru (Nordic Africa Institute)
Sir Gordon Conway (Imperial College London)
Dr Ann-Marie Izac (CGIAR)
Dr Inga Jacobs (Water Research Commission in Pretoria)
Sir Emyr Jones Parry (UK Government and AU)
Lord Mark Malloch Brown (UK Government and UN)
Dr Muna Mirghani (African Groundwater Network)
Professor Sam Moyo (CODESRIA)
Kumi Naidoo (Greenpeace)
Dr Cyril Obi (Social Science Research Council, New York)
Dr Larry Swatuk (University of Waterloo)
Professor Peter Vale (University of Johannesburg)
Dr Joseph Yaro (University of Ghana)
Several other individuals, including the keynote speaker are to be confirmed.
The conference fee is £30 for students; £50 for all others. It includes: the conference dinner (Wednesday); a tour of crop science research facilities (Thursday); lunch and buffet dinner (Thursday); and teas, coffees etc. Attendance is limited, and via the booking form. Please complete and return with payment to Dr Grant Dawson (gsd@aber.ac.uk).
The conference is supported by the Climate Change Consortium of Wales (C3W), and AU’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), the Department of International Politics, and the DDMI.
September 23, 2013 – September 25, 2013
ISOLAT MagellanPlus Series Workshop
Integrated Southern Ocean Latitudinal Transects (ISOLAT) Workshop
to Investigate Southern Ocean Palaeoclimate and Past Antarctic Circumpolar Current Variability
Credit: Southern Ocean image from Grace Mission. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.
This three day ISOLAT (Integrated Southern Ocean Latitudinal Transects) workshop will bring together members of the palaeo-data and climate modelling communities to define scientific questions and targets for long coring to investigate sub-centennial to millennial variability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). The aim is to assess the Southern Ocean’s role in rapid climate change and global biogeochemical cycles. The workshop is also primarily intended to provide a planning opportunity that will lead to the development and submission of integrated proposal(s) for the acquisition of long (30-50 m) sediment cores along latitudinal transects crossing the Southern Ocean frontal systems and the ACC. The primary goal of long coring in this region aims at resolving past variability of the ACC on suborbital timescales and its involvement with rapid global ocean variability and climate instability.
This workshop, jointly funded by MagellanPlus and the International Marine Past Global Changes II (IMAGES II) program, is intended to take advantage of new changes that will allow ECORD to support long coring as a mission-specific option within the framework of the new International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). The ISOLAT workshop will be hosted by the University of Cambridge, (Magdalene College, http://conference.magd.cam.ac.uk/) and is an outgrowth of earlier discussion and preliminary planning originating from within the IMAGES Southern Ocean Working Group.
This workshop will bring together researchers with a range of regional and palaeoceanographic/palaeoclimatic expertise to further develop the major scientific questions that drive interest in the Southern Ocean, and to propose and evaluate target sites in the circum-Antarctic region where these questions can best be answered.
Participation
The workshop is open for all scientists with an active interest in the Southern Ocean. The number of participants is limited to ~35 persons including early-career researchers and senior graduate students. The size of the workshop is restricted to ensure adequate time for debate and discussion, data sharing and active planning.
The participation in the workshop is free of charge and full/partial reimbursement for travel costs is available. To apply, please send a brief statement of interest, including anticipated contribution to the workshop (500 words max.) and a short CV by May 24, 2013. [Applications now closed]
Organizing Committee
Ian R. Hall, Cardiff University (Local Co-Chair)
Luke Skinner, University of Cambridge (Local Co-Chair)
Larry C. Peterson, University of Miami
Rainer Zahn, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Markus Kienast, Dalhousie University
Xavier Crosta, UMR-CNRS, Université Bordeaux I
Ralph R. Schneider, Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel
David Hodell, University of Cambridge
Workshop Sponsors
ECORD MagellanPlus Workshop Series
International Marine Past Global Change Study II (IMAGES II)