Thammasat University students interested in ecology, the allied health sciences, geology, and related subjects may find it useful to participate in a free 9 and 10 April Zoom Global Conference on Climate Change: Polar Studies, Environment and Climate Change.
The event, on Tuesday, 9 April 2024 and Wednesday, 10 April 2024, starting at 8am Bangkok time, is hosted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong and co-organized by the Hong Kong Chapter of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Hong Kong), the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, and the Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong.
The conference seeks to facilitate collaboration, exchange knowledge and solution-based discussions among scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and community representatives worldwide through a multidisciplinary and multifocal approach.
The TU Library collection includes several books about different aspects of climate change.
Students are invited to register for the event at this link:
https://cloud.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk/webform/view.php?id=13684012
With any questions or for further information, please write to
seep@cuhk.edu.hk
Among the distinguished speakers at the event will be Dr Zhang Beichen Deputy Director, Polar Research Institute of China; Mr Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP Former Secretary for the Environment, The Government of the Hong Kong; Dr Yang Huigen, Polar Research Institute of China; Professor Yuanyuan Feng, Associate Professor, School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and Professor Kwan Mei-po, Professor of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
According to its website, the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC)
is a research center for observation, investigation and evaluation of polar environment, an operation center for Chinese Antarctic/Arctic Research Expeditions (CHINARE), a management and service center for data, samples and specimens collected by CHINARE, and an archive center of CHINARE. Scientific research in PRIC involves polar ice and snow, polar ocean and climate change, polar ecological protection and resilience, space physics and astronomical observation in polar regions. PRIC operates the Antarctic Great Wall Ecology National Observations and Research Station, the Antarctic Zhongshan Ice and Space Environment National Observation and Research Station, the Arctic Yellow River Earth System National Observation and Research Station, the National Arctic and Antarctic Data Center, and the Key Laboratory of Polar Science, Ministry of Natural Resources, prompting scientific innovation and sustainable development in polar research.
Its Obligations comprise:
- Research in polar science, technology and policy
- Observation of polar climate change and environmental protection
- Operation of national observation and research stations and the key laboratory of Ministry of Natural Resources for polar science
- Operation and management of facilities for China’s polar expedition, including research stations, research vessels, inland traverses, aircrafts and the domestic base
- Logistics and technical support for China’s polar expedition
- Management and service of polar archives, data and samples
- Promoting international cooperation on polar expedition and research
- Public education and outreach of polar science
[…]
PRIC now has more than 150 professionals, including 54 senior and 59 intermediate ones,3 national-level leading talents, 2 national-level young talents, 10 high-level innovative talents of science and technology affirmed by the Ministry of Natural Resources, 2 Pujiang Talents (Shanghai), 9 people receiving special government allowances from the State Council, and 4 persons as principals of the national key R&D projects. There are also one national-level innovation team and one innovation team of science and technology affirmed by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
In recent years, PRIC has established cooperative relations with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, Shanghai Ocean University, School of Earth and Space Sciences (Peking University), School of Oceanography (Zhejiang University) and College of Oceanography (Hohai University), for the co-constructional plan of disciplinary development, postgraduate education and talent training and scientific research. Relying on domestic universities, it has had 58 postgraduate students jointly trained in the fields of oceanography, glaciology, biology, ecology, space & atmospheric physics and astronomy.
It has a station for scientific research independently recruiting post-doctoral researchers, which is a platform for visiting scholars from home and abroad to work and cooperate in research. It has trained 13 post-doctoral researchers.
An exhibit currently on view at the Hong Kong Science Museum focuses on Polar Research and Climate Change:
Co-organised by the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) and the Green Future Foundation Association, in association with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong, the “Polar Research and Climate Change” exhibition, funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF), opened at the Hong Kong Science Museum today (March 18), and is available to the public with free admission.
Through showcasing the polar exploration missions and accomplishments of the Chinese polar research icebreaking vessel Xuelong 2, the exhibition aims to enhance public understanding of the country’s achievements in scientific and technological development. The event is meant to raise the awareness of polar exploration and the gravity of climate change, as well as to encourage individuals to reduce their carbon footprint by changing their habits and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Xuelong 2 is the country’s first indigenously built polar scientific research icebreaking vessel, and the world’s first polar icebreaker to employ bidirectional icebreaking technology. It possesses a number of key technologies and innovations, making significant contributions to expanding the country’s capabilities and its expertise in polar research. After completing their latest Antarctic expedition early next month, Xuelong 2 and its polar research team will make Hong Kong its first port of entry on their return journey to the country. During this time, Xuelong 2 will dock at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, offering the public an opportunity to visit the advanced polar research facilities onboard. During its stay in Hong Kong, the Antarctic expedition team will also participate in a series of promotional, educational and exchange activities, including seminars on scientific research and popular science, to enhance public understanding of the latest technological developments in polar exploration and its relationship with climate change.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said that climate change is a prevailing global challenge. Human activities have increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, leading to a rise in global temperature. Phenomena such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels, changes in polar ecosystems, and an increase in climate variability are important indicators of global climate change. Polar research work helps scientists understand the impacts and causes of climate change, which is crucial for predicting future climate change. […]
The “Polar Research and Climate Change” exhibition will run from today until June 26 at the lobby of the Hong Kong Science Museum (2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East).
(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)