Climate Change in the Torres Strait - Risks, Impacts and Opportunities

The Torres Strait is a nationally and globally significant region on multiple levels, and yet its values remain relatively unknown to many Australian's.  Sandwiched in a narrow strait between the tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea, both the communities and the ecology of the region face an existential threat from climate change. Despite the challenges before it, the region and its people have many strengths, and its ability to adapt and thrive into the unfolding future will depend on a blend of external support and internal resilience and resourcefulness.

John Rainbird has worked for the Torres Strait Regional Authority in his role as Climate Change and Coastal Manager for 14 years. He is originally from South Africa where he obtained his MSc In Conservation Biology.  He has a long-standing interest in the areas of change, sustainability and resilience. Prior to his current role he worked in an array of conservation and sustainability related positions in government and the NGO sector. He is based in Cairns. 

John will be joined in conversation with Assoc Professor Javier Leon, a geographer with broad interests in geomorphology. He is particularly interested in the study and management of coastal systems including sandy beaches and coral reefs. He has developed and collaborated in multidisciplinary research projects combining field data, geospatial techniques and modelling in study sites across Torres Strait, the Great Barrier Reef and Pacific Islands. His aim is to answer questions related to links between morphology, ecology and management in the current changing climate and sea-level rise context.

When: 13 August 2024

Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM AEST

Location: Zoom Only

Please note: The ZOOM link for this event is included in the confirmation email which you will receive once you have registered. You will find it at the bottom of the notice Please keep this in a place where you can find it when needed. A reminder email will be sent with the link on the day of the event close to Close of Business hours.

This event may be recorded. If you have any questions, please email us at info@rgsq.org.au