Conference explores adapting to climate change

Climate change is increasingly affecting Estonia through extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and heatwaves. According to University of Tartu Associate Professor in Climate Physics Velle Toll, we can expect these phenomena to become even more frequent in the future.

“In addition to reducing the use of fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to changing climate conditions is becoming increasingly important. For example, when developing infrastructure, we must consider future conditions rather than relying on past climate data,” Toll explained. High-quality data describing Estonia’s climate, both past and present, is essential for this purpose. “We are fortunate that in Estonia, researchers have been systematically collecting weather data for 160 years already. The longer and more detailed the time series of weather data, the more fields in which it can be applied,” said University of Tartu Professor of Climate Science Piia Post.

The first day of the conference, focusing on global climate change, will be conducted in English and feature presentations by leading international researchers. Markku Kulmala – Professor of the University of Helsinki, a member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, and honorary doctor of the University of Tartu – will speak about the role of aerosol particles in regulating the Earth’s climate. Professor Bjørn Kløve, Head of the Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering unit of the University of Oulu, will address the impact of climate change on the hydrology of managed peatlands. Professor Markus Meier from the Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research will deliver a thorough presentation on climate change in the Baltic Sea region. The day will provide a comprehensive overview of the causes and effects of climate change, as well as solutions for mitigating its harmful impacts.

The second day of the conference, held in Estonian, will focus on Estonia’s specific needs in adapting to climate change. It will begin with a retrospective look at the collection and interpretation of climate data in Estonia. Discussions will cover the societal impacts of climate change and strategies for coping with related crises. Additionally, the role of spatial planning in reducing the effects of heavy rainfall and heatwaves will be explored.

The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and climate enthusiasts. The event is organised by the University of Tartu, Tallinn University, Tallinn University of Technology, the Estonian Environment Agency, and the Estonian Meteorological Society.

Read more on the conference website.