(Photo: University of Southern Queensland)
May 14, 2018
Well-known University of Southern Queensland climate scientist Professor Roger Stone has been elected president of the World Meteorological Organisation’s Commission for Agricultural Meteorology.
The new role means that Prof Stone will be providing strategic direction and guidance in agricultural meteorology for farmers and agribusinesses around the world.
He is the first Australian to be selected for the four-year position at the United Nations’ body.
“There is a greater need than ever for the knowledge and expertise of agrometeorologists to assist farmers and the wider agricultural community and for more research and technology development in agrometeorology,” Prof Stone said.
“Now more than ever, we need to better prepare farmers for extremes of climate but also enable them to become more resilient.”
The commission’s key areas of focus for 2018 to 2022 will include drought research and management, issues related to global food security, weather and climate services for agriculture, and risk management associated with extreme weather and climate patterns.
Prof Stone currently leads USQ’s Fundamental Climate Science Research program and is director of the university’s Centre for Applied Climate Sciences.
He is recognised as a global leader in climate science research and also a team leader within the United Nations’ Commission for Climatology.
