Dr Leon Braat

At Alterra, Dr Braat conducts international biodiversity research, ecological-economics and the science-policy interface. In2007-2008, he was the leader of the DG Environment project, “The Cost of Policy Inaction: the case of not meeting the 2010biodiversity target”. Previously, Dr Braat directed the team that produces the Dutch National State of Nature reports at The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. He has published widely and has edited and co-written several books on ecological-economics.   Dr Braat will be presenting on 'Social and economic consequences of global post 2010 biodiversity policies.' Read his abstract here.

  

Dr Pulwarty is Director of the National Integrated Drought Information System at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado. His interests are in climate and weather, their role in society-environment interactions and in the design of effective services to address associated risks. His research and applications focus on natural resources policy, development and decision-making in the Western USA, Latin America and the Caribbean. From 1998 to 2002, Dr Pulwarty directed the NOAA/Office of Global Programs/Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments Program. Roger chairs the American Meteorological Society Board on Societal Impacts and is a lead author on the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report Working Group 2.   Dr Pulwarty's presentation is titled 'Climate, watersheds and streams of thought- Lessons learned and unlearned'.

Dr Lahiri-Dutt is a Fellow in the Resource Management in Asia-Pacific Program and the leader of the Environment and Resource Management stream of research at the Crawford School in the College of Asia and the Pacific at Australian National University. Her research interests include women, gender and development; environmental sustainability; women’s empowerment in relation to water and mining and communities’ roles and livelihoods in natural resources, such as in large scale and artisanal mining as well as the water and sanitation sectors.   Kuntala's address will focus on 'river islands' - pieces of land within the rivers, created naturally in deltaic plains, but enhanced by dams and barrages. Read her abstract here.

Prof Weller is Winthrop Professor and Discipline Chair of the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts at The University of Western Australia. His original and creative designs can be experienced in the urban landscapes of many cities and they include the National Museum of Australia. He is also the Director of Room 4.1.3 Pty. Ltd., a landscape design company and has been awarded more than 20 design awards recognising his flair and style in landscape design. Prof Weller is the author of the highly acclaimed Boomtown 2050 which examines ways Perth could be creatively reorganised to suit the challenges of the 21st century with cutting edge development scenarios.   Winthrop Professor Richard Weller will be relating his presentation to images regarding population growth on a national scale. He will then present about urban design scenarios related to that growth both nationally and in Perth. Click here for further information.

Mr Myung-Pil Shim, Minister, Office of National River Restoration, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime
The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project of South Korea aims to restore the Han River, Nakdong River, Geum River and Yeongsan River, to provide water security, flood control and ecosystem vitality. It is intended to fundamentally prevent natural disasters like floods and droughts, protect the environment and promote history and cultural tourism. The project aims to create jobs and further economic growth, thereby broadening the horizon of the country’s green growth.