Lincoln University’s Professor of Resource Economics, Dr Ross Cullen, joins the panel of experts for the second presentation in the 2007 series of Lincoln Hot Science public seminars in Christchurch Town Hall tonight. (30 July).
The topic is Climate Change - who are the winners and losers under changing land use patterns in Canterbury? and broadcaster Kim Hill will quiz a five-member panel of specialists then open up the debate to the floor.
Panel members are Professor Cullen of Lincoln University; Dr Stephen Goldson, Chief Scientist, AgResearch; Dr David Whitehead, Science Leader, Global Change Processes, Landcare Research; Dr Jim Renwick, Climatologist, NIWA; and Dr Pete Jamieson, Crop Physiologist, Crop and Food Research.
Dr Whitehead will provide an overview of the topic, on behalf of the panel, then Kim will launch into her inquisition.
Tonight’s session examines the question, what does global warming mean for Canterbury and the panel will look at its implications for the region’s animal and plant life, for primary industry and for society and the economy. What changes will it mean for industry and lifestyles?
Professor Cullen’s role will be to contribute in the area of resource economics. As an academic his research includes four specific areas - ecosystem services and agriculture; public perceptions of the state of the New Zealand environment; economic analysis of biodiversity conservation; and economic analysis of tourism.
Outside of academia, Professor Cullen is well known in alpine circles. He is a Life Member and past president of the NZ Alpine club and was a member of the club’s 1985 Everest Expedition,. He was in the party that reached over 7500 metres before being beaten back by the weather.
The opening seminar in the 2007 Lincoln Hot Science series, on Monday 23 July, drew an audience of over a thousand to the Town Hall.
Hot Science is organised by The Lincoln Resource and presented in association with MAF.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Collins, Journalist
Lincoln University, Canterbury
Tel: 64 3 325 2811 ext 8549
Email: Ian Collins