Environmental analysis news: Wales launches Climate Change Consortium

A joint initiative between four Welsh universities has been launched to study the effects of climate change in Wales.

The research, which is being funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, will focus on the impact of climate on human society, as well as evaluating mitigation strategies.

Other areas to be covered will include sea level change - specifically the affect climate change has had on the planet's glaciers and ice.

Speaking to the BBC, Professor Mike Hambrey from Aberystwyth University commented that the universities were collaborating as a result of "deep concerns" about the climate change issue.

He explained that the research would cover four different areas, including a Welsh-focused dimension to the project.

Professor Hambrey told the news provider: "What's also particularly important is the way we get the message across to the wider public and that's one of our key strategies – to identify with the public [and] what their concerns [are]."

In addition, he said the group would also offer advice on how people can tackle issues relating to climate change themselves.

A mission statement released by the consortium states that it intends to raise the international profile of Welsh-based climate research.

Posted by Joseph Hutton