The Marine Adaptation Network prepared and delivered the Second National Marine Climate Change Adaptation Network Graduate School. Held from 5-6 September 2011 at the University of the Sunshine Coast, the network provided lectures and workshops in climate change adaptation of marine biodiversity and living marine resources to 24 research post-graduates and early career researchers from all around Australia. The Graduate School provided a base theoretical context to marine climate change adaptation, pragmatic examples of adaptation in action, and workshopped the importance of effective communication in engaging with marine stakeholders on climate change adaptation issues.

Image: Participants of the Second National Marine Climate Change Adaptation Network Graduate School, Sunshine Coast, Qld.
Credit: Clare Brooker

“The next generation of marine climate change adaptation researchers will be key to the effective development of innovative and effective ways to respond to and and/or anticipate the range of likely climate change trajectories, given international policy decisions and frameworks, and/or public and industry responses to future changes in carbon emissions.” - Convenor, Assoc Prof Neil Holbrook

The Marine Adaptation Network has awarded research support grants to honours and masters students studying in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  The grant scheme provides funding for honours and masters students to cover research costs of selected eligible projects focused on climate change adaptation in Marine Biodiversity and Resources. For further information contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 03 6226 2134.

View the 2010, 2011 & 2012 funded recipients.

The Marine Adaptation Network designed and delivered the first-ever Australian national summer school in the area of marine climate change adaptation. The main objective of the summer school was to introduce research postgraduates and early career researchers to climate change adaptation research with the aim of facilitating entry of researchers into the field of marine adaptation.

The Graduate School was held at the University of Tasmania on 4 December 2009. This event offered graduates the opportunity to meet and network with peers and with experienced marine researchers in specialised workshops and field trips.

See below for the MARINE ADAPTATION NETWORK FIRST SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM:

PROGRAM

WELCOME
Assoc Prof Neil Holbrook - overview of the Network structure and purpose of the Summer School.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION CHALLENGES FOR THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Dr Paul Marshall, Dr Alistair Hobday & Dr Rosemary Stanford - discuss the interactions between scientists and policy makers, and the challenges faced in policy making with regard to climate change.

OVERVIEW OF CLIMATE CHANGE CONCEPTS
Assoc Prof Neil Holbrook & Tim Smith - speak about climate change and the concepts surrounding climate change risk, impacts, vulnerability, resilience, and building adaptive capacity.

AVENUES TO ADAPTATION
Each speaker will discuss current condition, projected change and what can be done to enhance adaptive capacity in their particular area of expertise.
Dr Julie Davidson - Integration Theme: Social‐ecological resilience
Dr Alistair Hobday & Dr Stewart Frusher - Marine Biodiversity & Resources Theme:
Dr Tim Smith, Dr Sarah Jennings, Dr Rosemary Sandford & Dr Peat Leith - Communities/Markets/Policy Themes:

PRESENTATION OF THREE MBR CASE STUDIES
Dr Alistair Hobday – National Scale Marine Vulnerability Assessment
Dr Paul Marshall - Paul Marshall – Great Barrier Reef VA (regional example)
Dr Gretta Pecl – Rock Lobster VA (sector example)