Epistemology, Faith and Science
Dr Matt Flannagan, Adjunct Lecturer, Laidlaw College
Abstract
In this talk I will elaborate some basic ideas of epistemology particular around the interface of science and religion. I will explain briefly three things, first what epistemology is and what the questions it asks are. Secondly, I will look at the role testimony and faith in authority play in our knowledge. Third, I will sketch a position on how Christians should approach scientific challenges to their theological positions

Freedom, Joy and Hope - Christology, Creation & Ecological Ethics
Andrew Shepherd
Abstract
The world is becoming increasingly aware that we live in a time of ‘ecological crisis'. Humanity's lack of care for the natural world seemingly threatens ‘life' itself on the planet. This paper unpacks a biblical-theological basis for creation-care. Particular focus will be given to how a Christological understanding of creation offers the basis for ethical behaviour grounded in freedom, joy and hope - elements often missing within the broader field of ecological ethics.

Mechanics of politics and funding of climate change science
Professor Ralph E H Sims, Professor of Sustainable Energy, Massey University, Palmerston North.
Abstract
Although climate change impacts are starting to be felt, policymakers are still struggling to reach agreement (especially between "North" and "South" countries) whilst scientists continue to grapple with and better understand what is likely to occur on a regional basis, how we might need to adapt, what the costs of adaptation might be, and whether mitigation actions can happen quickly enough. The drive for more knowledge on such issues as sustainable energy systems to displace fossil fuels has a long way to go, but R&D investment remains limited in many countries, including New Zealand. Meanwhile the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) continues to synthesise the latest scientific information that has been published and present the knowledge in a format suitable for policymakers and the general public to comprehend. Communicating this complex topic, whose evident impacts will occur only over the long term, is a major challenge.
Recent attempts to undermine the climate science and the IPCC are of grave concern since they have successfully held up the process, as was the intent. This paper will present the current political context of climate change, consider the future challenges for the IPCC, and outline some possible technical and social solutions to help maintain global temperature rise below the challenging 20C target, as was agreed in Copenhagen late last year

Climate change - the scientific base
Dr James Renwick, Principal Scientist, Climate Variability & Change
Abstract
This talk will discuss the latest scientific understanding of global, regional and local climate change.

Climate Change: The Great Deception
Ian Wishart Editor, Investigate magazine, Author: "Air Con"
Abstract
The premise of Ian Wishart's #1 bestseller Air Con is not that climate change isn't happening: it's that climate change is largely natural, not catastrophic, and that there are better things to spend money on than making carbon trading billionaires and their political mates rich.
He presents evidence that scientists and politicians pushing "certainty" and "there is no alternative" are ignoring substantial evidence to the contrary, that there is not yet one evidence-based scientific study that has proven man-made CO2 emissions are definitely affecting climate, and that New Zealand climate scientists, like their international colleagues, are not above making exaggerated claims that simply don't stack up.
In this presentation, Wishart shows why Pacific islands are not threatened by global warming, why dramatic claims about melting icecaps are wrong, and outlines the political agenda behind climate change.
For more information see Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90otAJORkK8

The Political Economy of Climate Change
Professor Jonathan Boston, Director, Institute of Policy Studies, School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington
Abstract
There has been much debate since the 1990s over whether, from a global perspective, it is economically justifiable to mitigate climate change - that is, to take active policy measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the interests of stabilizing GHG concentrations at the atmosphere. Some experts claim, for instance, that the costs of mitigation are likely to be large relative to the benefits, and/or that any mitigation efforts should be delayed until the science is more certain, and/or that humanity lacks the technologies necessary to reduce GHG emissions significantly without causing huge economic dislocation, and/or that any resources devoted to climate change mitigation would be better spent on alleviating global poverty and adapting to climate change. Other experts, by contrast, contest all these claims, and maintain that there are strong economic and ethical grounds for reducing global emissions by at least 50-85% by 2050. Additionally, some experts argue that the risk of catastrophic climate change, although relatively small, is sufficient by itself to justify urgent action to mitigate climate change (i.e. quite apart from the general case for mitigation based on the likelihood of moderate to severe warming from a business-as-usual approach).
This contribution to the conference will review the recent policy literature on the costs and benefits of climate change, and will highlight the key economic and ethical issues under debate. It will also outline why climate change can be regarded as a global collective action problem and why co-ordinated measures by the international community are essential if emission reductions are to be achieved efficiently, effectively and equitably. In so doing, the presentation will highlight four politically-salient asymmetries which undermine governmental efforts to address climate change. It will also comment briefly on the problem of global burden sharing and the nature of New Zealand's responsibilities.

Climate Change: What's the problem?
Barry Brill OBE JP LL.M M.ComLaw, President, NZ Climate Science Coalition, Former MP, Minister of Energy and Science & Technology,
Abstract
Should faith fill the gaps left by climate science? They are many. Both physics and attribution science are beset by unknowns, and the forecasting track record is poor. Policy responses have lagged rhetoric, nationally and internationally, and this is unlikely to change. Public opinion is sharply divided. Other possible threats are more pressing.
The future is unknowable, but there are four obvious scenarios for the 21st century:
- Warming is similar to that of the 20th century (naturally)
- Warming increases, but this is not materially human-caused
- Warming increases, mainly human-caused, despite best efforts
- Warming would have increased, but human efforts avert this outcome.
Massive mitigation effort would be required for the fourth scenario, but wasted if the other three apply. A much smaller investment in timely adaptation would meet all four.
Can depopulation be a moral solution? Or enforced inequality? Does creation-care include eliminating ‘energy poverty'? How to deal with profound uncertainty?
Key question: Should Christians oppose a new coal plant in Pakistan?

Making sense of uncertainty: societal responses to climate change
Dr Andy Reisinger, Senior Research Fellow, NZ Climate Change Research Institute, Victoria University
Abstract
I will present my personal views on two key issues: one is the process by which we acquire and communicate scientific knowledge about complex issues such as climate change, and the second is how society can make sense of the inevitable uncertainties that remain in this scientific knowledge. I intend to first summarise the key concepts underlying concern about climate change, and discuss where and why different people appear to reach different conclusions regarding appropriate responses to these concerns. I will then discuss what I regard as the key strengths and weaknesses of scientific inquiry in the context of climate change, and attempt to clear up some commonly held misconceptions about what science can and can't tell us about climate change. In this discussion I will try to draw a careful distinction between what the science community regards as robust findings and key uncertainties, and what are in the end social, cultural and ethical choices in how we respond to these strengths and limits of scientific knowledge.

Impacts: Climate change and global ecology
Dr Liza Storey, International Global Change Centre, IGCC, University of Waikato.
Abstract
Climate change is already causing observed change to our planet's ecology. Amphibians, warm-water corals, and migratory birds are the groups most at risk (IUCN, 2008). Not only will climate change contribute to a decline in the number of species on Earth, but it is also modifying ecological, physiological and seasonal timing of processes, and species interactions. While significant and valuable steps are being taken, in particular, to increase the number of protected areas globally, this is insufficient in itself to stem the tide of species decline (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 2010).
In addition to the impacts on wild populations, climate change will impact on commercial and cultivated crops, and other species harvested for human food consumption, as well as pests and diseases. While increased average temperatures and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations will provide some benefits to productivity in mid to high latitudes, this needs to be couched with the impacts projected for a significant increase in extreme events like drought, and other interacting pressures (IPCC, 2007) on ecosystems. Increased atmospheric CO2 will also impact marine systems more negatively (IPCC, 2007).
In most situations, climate change will not act independently on species or ecosystems; rather it will interact with other pressures, to alter the condition of ecosystems for species survival (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment , 2005), and to shift the distribution of species geographically (Walther et al., 2002). In most cases studied to date, species are not able to migrate to more suitable habitats fast enough to keep pace with current climate change, and in the future this is expected to continue. Moreover, natural migration will be increasingly impeded due to more fragmentation of habitats through land use changes such as agricultural expansion.
This talk will describe various observed situations where climate change is currently acting on species and ecosystems, in conjunction with other environmental and human pressures. Examples include: species susceptibility to extinction risks, coral bleaching, salmon spawning reductions, sea ice reductions and polar bears, invasive pest and disease outbreaks such as the mountain pine beetle devastating some North American forests, and risks from invasive species in New Zealand. Helping species and ecosystems adapt to climate change requires many coordinated responses at different scales, across many institutions and in conjunction with communities throughout the world.

Climate Change and the Poor
Stephen Tollestrup, Executive Director of TEAR Fund NZ, Director of the international WEA Peace and Reconciliation Initiative.
Abstract
As western and developed nations consider the possible impact of climate change on their economies and mobilise resources and strategies to limit their effects, the reality will be that the poor in the developing world will be placed most at risk and pay the highest price in terms of health, hunger, under-employment, migration, conflict and limited local and regional economic growth. The challenge of climate change in the developing world will undermine regional and global instability and left unaddressed have further serious and exacerbating consequences for developed nations as well.
While climate science has almost exclusively focused on scientific and empirical research with debates centred on data integrity and analysis, the presenter urges that the anecdotal evidence and narrative voice of the poor also be respected, considered and taken seriously. Examples of this more indigenous and local perspective is to be presented.
However it also presents a unique opportunity for a greater collaborative effort between northern and southern economies to mitigate the impact of climate change and further strengthen the foundations for just, sustainable and equitable future partnerships. TEAR Fund suggests that these opportunities among others include commitment to and recognition of the synergy between Kyoto and the Millennium Development Goals( MDG's ), encourage the development sustainable industries, support for food security and environmental protection programmes in developing nations most affected, support for local environmental initiatives, strengthening the capacity of national meteorological systems, cancelling of debt for redistribution into programmes that address the impact of climate change and enhance local sustainability.
Strategically, the local and national church in the developing world can be an invaluable asset as a network for advocacy, education and mobilisation as well as a partner with progressive churches in the developed world, in this case New Zealand.

Mitigating the Impacts of Climate Change and Impact on Developing Countries
Professor Ralph E H Sims, Professor of Sustainable Energy, Massey University, Palmerston North.
Abstract
The drivers for clean energy technologies are not only climate change. Co-benefits include energy security, sustainable development, employment, reduced import costs, improved health and more efficient mobility. These benefits relate closely to the uptake of energy efficient and renewable technologies in developed as well as developing countries and the "leap-frogging" opportunities for the latter. Such technologies as distributed energy systems and intelligent grids are discussed, along with possible future transport systems.

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