[In Depth] Research chief cuts climate studies, sets new priorities
Thursday, February 11, 2016 - 14:31
in Earth & Climate
Australia's premier research agency has long been at the vanguard of climate science. But Larry Marshall, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Canberra, says it's time for CSIRO to move on and align more closely with industry. The former Silicon Valley, California, venture capitalist stated last week that up to 350 jobs could be eliminated over the next 2 years, including 110 positions in the Oceans and Atmosphere division, the bulwark of CSIRO's climate research. Marshall insisted that key climate science assets will be protected. But outsiders warn that the cuts will gut CSIRO's vaunted work on climate science in the Southern Hemisphere. Author: Leigh Dayton