News | 5th Feb, 2010

What is the impact of climate change on plants?

Friday, 5 February 2010
Stephanie McDonald, Landscape Design News

A free community forum being held at this year’s Sustainable Living Festival on Sunday, February 21, 1:00-2.30pm, will take a look at implications of climate change for Victoria's biodiversity and what can be done.

According to CSIRO, 44 per cent of our native plants and more than 30 per cent of our animals are already either extinct or threatened with extinction. Climate change will only make this situation worse.

Among the speakers will be Professor Will Steffen, executive director of the Australian National University’s Climate Change Institute. He will speak about how climate change is happening faster than expected and is turning up the heat on Victoria’s already stressed natural environment.

Dr Paul Sinclair, healthy ecosystems program manager at the Australian Conservation Foundation, will discuss what needs to be done across the state for our precious animals and plants and how we can all help.

The event has been organised by the Victoria Naturally Alliance, which is led by the Victorian National Parks Association and includes the Australian Conservation Foundation, Environment Victoria, Greening Australia (Vic), The Wilderness Society, Invasive Species Council, Trust for Nature, Bird Observation & Conservation Australia and Bush Heritage Australia.