With the advent of new climatic conditions, it is high time to set things in motion in preparation for its effects – whatever they may be in specific locations around the world.

It is not only important to mitigate and adapt to the negative aspects of global warming. It is also important to adapt to and even, where possible, take advantage of the changing environment.

Climate changes can force governments, industries and citizens to think innovatively, to find, develop and produce new and sustainable ways of using the earth’s resources, and to alter people’s behaviour so we can co-exist with nature instead of plundering it.

You have the opportunity to help make headway in this direction at the international conference “Beyond Kyoto: Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change – Science Meets Industry, Policy and the Public” to be held from 5 to 7 March 2009 in Aarhus, Denmark.

The conference will gather scientists, leading decision-makers from the private and public sectors and NGOs to facilitate the integration of current, cutting-edge scientific knowledge and experience with industrial, political and public needs of the future.

Agriculture plays a huge role with regard to climate change both as a major source of greenhouse gases and as an important “victim” of climate change. With regard to the agricultural aspects of climate change, the conference will cover areas such as impacts and adaptation in both developing countries and in countries with intensive agricultural systems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, and the role of bioenergy and biofuel.

The conference committee is calling for submissions to the conference to be sent no later than 1 September 2008.

The full programme will be announced in October 2008, but you can already see the themes and sub-headings of the conference here. The link also provides information on sending your abstract for the conference.

The conference is being organised by the climate secretariat at the University of Aarhus.

For more information please contact:

Project manager Lise Andreasen, Climate secretariat, University of Aarhus, telephone: +45 8942 1975, e-mail: lan@adm.au.dk

Research professor Jørgen E. Olesen, Department of Agroecology and Environment, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, telephone: +45 89991659, mobile: +45 4082 1659, e-mail: JorgenE.Olesen@agrsci.dk