The heat is on: BOM launches heatwave forecasting

BOM heatwave forecast

Just as a record-breaking heatwave was moving eastwards from Western Australia last week, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) launched a trial heatwave forecast service. The forecast shows, up to four days in advance, which areas of Australia can anticipate heatwaves. But are heatwave warnings even necessary for “a sunburnt country” with a history of long, hot summers?

Astronomical events

Image source: WA Department of Commerce via myregion.gov.au

Some 242 years ago, Captain James Cook explored the eastern coast of Australia, after having been sent to the South Pacific Island of Tahiti to observe the transit of the planet Venus in 1769. He was sent there partly in order to help astronomers of the day estimate the size of the solar system. Australia’s long and distinguished association with astronomy had begun.

On 6th June 2012, just before 8:30 am along the east coast of Australia, the tiny dot of the planet Venus will again pass slowly across the face of the Sun, as seen from Earth. Such ‘Transits of Venus’ are infrequent events; the next transit does not occur until 2117 so this is one for us to savour. Many smaller observatories here will be trained on this solar event.

Australia's current spending on science research and development



Source: Mount Stromlo Observatory

 The awarding of the 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics to Professor Brian Schmidt, an Australian National University (ANU) professor of Astrophysics, for his role in the discovery that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, is a significant achievement not only for ANU but also for Australia. It is the first time in almost one hundred years that an Australian has won a Nobel Prize in Physics – William and Lawrence Bragg, a father and son team, were the last Australians to win a Nobel Prize for Physics in 1915 – and it is the sixth Nobel Prize to be won by an ANU researcher.

In light of this great achievement, it is pertinent to ask about the broader state of health of Australian science as measured by its funding. How much goes to science research and development (R&D) and is this level of funding adequate? This article will not address the question of adequacy of the current levels of R&D science funding, but instead examines Australia’s current and past R&D science expenditure, and what sectors of the economy provide the funding.

Science Weeks and Years

National Science Week (13-21 August) is now upon us, with more than one thousand events across the country. Also unfolding, with perhaps less publicity, is the International Year of Chemistry. Both foster public awareness of science and technology and associated careers.

International Year of Chemistry 2011

The United Nations declared 2011 the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) under the unifying theme ‘Chemistry—Our Life, Our Future’. Here, the International Year of Chemistry celebrates the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind, with opportunities for public participation (particularly for young people and women), at the local, regional, national and international levels. The IYC Opening Ceremony was preceded by the first IYC 2011 global activity celebrating women in chemistry.

The Year also celebrates the 100th anniversary of Madame Marie Curie’s Nobel Prize for Chemistry and the founding of the then International Association of Chemical Societies. During the IYC, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is led by its first female president. As part of the IYC, prominent scientists highlight advances in chemistry and its role in solving major problems faced by humanity in energy, food, water and health.

For Australia, a coordinating body is the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). As well as supporting the professional needs and interests of its members, the Institute advocates the importance of chemistry to the public, to educational institutions, to industry, and to government. Each year in July, the RACI produces National Chemistry Week, a campaign that promotes chemistry to the general public, and this year’s week has recently concluded.

When launching the IYC in Australia during February, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr noted that the Excellence in Research for Australia 2010 National Report confirmed that chemistry is an area of notable strength for Australia. According to the report, of the research units assessed in this area, 86 per cent were rated at world standard or above. The Australian Academy of Science through the National Committee for Chemistry also promotes the IYC.

International Week of Science and Peace

Globally, the International Week of Science and Peace has been observed every November since 1986. The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 43/61 in December 1988, which proclaims the “International Week of Science and Peace”, to take place each year during the week in which 11 November falls. The associated “World Science Day for Peace and Development” is on 10 November 2011. However, there appears to be minimal local commemoration.

National Science Week 2011 and Inspiring Australia

On the other hand, Australia’s National Science Week (13–21 August 2011) provides many public events across the nation with ongoing support from the Federal Government and key science industry bodies like the CSIRO, with the ABC and the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA). The Week aims to take science into schools, workplaces, cultural organisations, community groups, shopping centres and public spaces. The event will engage people across Australia with scientific displays, shows, theatrical events, debates, workshops, and projects with an aim to celebrate science in all its forms and benefits.

National Science Week now serves as part of the Inspiring Australia program, which received 2011–12 Budget funding of $21 million over 3 years. In February 2010, the report Inspiring Australia: a national strategy for engagement with the sciences was launched by Innovation Minister Carr. The report was the first national strategy for science communication in Australia. The Australian Government’s Science portal website provides details of our national capabilities. Also note that the Royal Institution of Australia has programs in public science education, akin to a national science exchange that support Science Week.

Despite the important ideas behind National Science Week, and its undoubted successes, there remains the question of whether it is essentially ‘preaching to the converted.’ Those who are already in some way interested in or knowledgeable about science take advantage of what is on offer, but how is Australia’s general science education faring? And how good is the public’s level of scientific awareness, at a time when scientific findings underpin many political decisions and areas of national discourse? These questions may form part of the Inspiring Australia agenda into the years ahead.

(Image source: Australia's Chief Scientist)