Global change research at the ANUThe research activities of a major university are a complex mix of individual expertise, facilities and equipment, funding opportunities and, most importantly, the collective response of the academic community to issues of community concern. At the end of the 20th century, observations and predictions of physical and social scientists have raised community concern in developed societies for the stability and predictability of Earth's climate, sea-level, fresh water, biodiversity and, of course, for human society, health and well-being. There is now international recognition that the combination of human population and life-styles in developed and developing societies, has become a major cause of global change. Within the ANU, the diversity of disciplines which address issues of global change have been loosely grouped into a "Global Change Confederation" convened by Graham Farquhar, Professor of Environmental Biology in the Research School of Biological Sciences. More than 60 research staff in disciplines are identified, and the following reports cover a small sectionof their research. The research at ANU is a small but significant part of the effort and debate which will lead to the policies and practices required to manage, adapt to, and maintain, the Earth's complex physical and biological systems. Simplistic, "feel good" policies are unlikely to have significant impact but independent-minded governments which clarify complex issues, adopt policies encouraging environmentally best-practice industries, and place national interests alongside issues of importance to developing societies, are likely to have long-term benefit. Professor David Green |