Peak body for scientists warns of 'flow-on' effects that can leave the country more vulnerable to climate change
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is laying off some critical climate modelling employees in what scientists are saying is a "very worrying development" for Australia and its Pacific neighbours.
Local media reports have confirmed that 11 climate modellers and analysts at CSIRO will be made redundant, as part of the 92 jobs that will be cut at the government agency's Environment Research Unit.
A spokesperson from CSIRO told the ABC News that the layoffs are part of the agency's strategic research shifts to focus on where it could "deliver the greatest national impact."
"To achieve this sharpened focus, we are exiting research where we lack scale to achieve significant impact, or areas where others in the sector are better placed to deliver," the spokesperson said as quoted by the ABC.
"CSIRO will retain its climate science capability and continue to provide the data, models and scenarios needed to support decision-making in Australia and internationally."
The 92 job cuts are fewer than the 102 reductions that were initially planned at CSIRO. But they add to the more than 800 positions slashed at the agency in the past two years.
'Very worrying development'
Science and Technology Australia, the peak body for thousands of scientists and technologists in the country, said the job cuts were "expected," and warned that these could leave the country more vulnerable to climate change.
"Today's job cuts to CSIRO's Environment Research Unit, including critical climate modelling staff, are a very worrying development but, sadly they were expected," said Ryan Winn, CEO of Science and Technology Australia, in a statement.
"New funding for CSIRO announced in the Federal Budget was never going to save these jobs. It will be used to pay for infrastructure, like buildings and research equipment."
Winn underscored that the climate modelling done by CSIRO contributes to the global climate models, with Australia being the only country in the southern hemisphere contributing to these models.
"There is no guarantee that other areas in the research system can pick up this work. No Government agency has a clear mandate to fund this necessary climate modelling. There is an expectation it'll just get done," Winn added.
The CEO further stressed that Australia has a national and regional responsibility to maintain its role in contributing to global climate models.
"That scientific data underpins information used to manage food production and keep the cost of living down. It's our best defence against devastating floods and bushfires, which is sending the cost of insurance through the roof," he said.
"And there will be flow-on effects for Australia and our Pacific neighbours' ability to predict, adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change. This climate data is also crucial for decision-making in business. Decisions that drive our economy."
"Ultimately, this could leave Australia and our region more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and decision-makers without the tools required to chart a resilient and prosperous future."
