Curious Climate schools
Curious Climate schools

Dr Kate Fraser

Affiliation
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
Research Areas
Reef ecology, coastal fisheries
Why I do what I do
I work as an ecologist and fisheries scientist because I think our oceans and everything that lives in them are important for humans and the world as a whole. I like that my work directly influences management decisions about local Tasmanian fisheries, supporting local communities of people, and our own special Tasmanian marine ecosystems.
Something interesting about me
I have never been able to choose a favourite animal, but I really love cephalopods (things like octopus, squid, and cuttlefish)

Questions answered by this expert

What will it be like in 50 years if the climate continues to change?

View Answer

That’s a great question and a tricky one to answer accurately, because it depends a lot on how we humans adapt and respond to change. We can be certain that things will be different, though. It’s likely there will be a lot more extreme weather events – droughts, floods, bushfires, cyclones, and storms. In some place the seas will have risen to flood homes and areas that are now dry land. Some species will suffer and go extinct as environmental conditions become unsuitable for them. Other species will thrive as conditions begin suit them better, their populations might grow, or they might start to live in places that were previously too difficult for them.

What life will be like for us is pretty uncertain, but here are some things I hope will change as humans adapt to a changing climate. People will share more with their communities – food, skills, transport (probably not cars as we know them!). Vegetable gardens and fruit trees will replace lawns in many homes. Building design will prepare for floods, fires, and storms. We will consume and waste less, recognising that the food and resources we take from the oceans and land are limited. Wealthier people and countries will share with less wealthy people and countries, to make sure everyone has the best chance of adapting to change. Governments will plan well for change and for unpredictable things like extreme weather events and pandemics, making decisions to help everyone and our natural environments.

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We acknowledge the Palawa/Pakana people, the Traditional Custodians of lutrawita/Tasmania. We recognise and respect their collective wisdom and knowledge about country and change.
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