The Bureau of Meteorology has offered to save climate research that CSIRO plans to axe under a plan that would see long-term programs and dozens of jobs transfer between the two national science agencies.
The proposal, discussed at a meeting convened by chief scientist Alan Finkel last month, is the most concrete of several ideas thrown up by the scientific community in a bid to retain internationally respected climate researchers and data collection.
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| The Bureau of Meteorology would take over CSIRO climate programs, including the Cape Grim greenhouse gas station in Tasmania, under a plan to save research and jobs. |
Scientific agencies were taken by surprise when CSIRO chief Larry Marshall announced in February that the organisation would stop climate data collection as it re-positioned itself as an "innovation catalyst", focusing on work that was financially attractive to government or private partners.
The recasting of the century-old Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, initially linked to about 350 job cuts including up to 100 climate scientists, has drawn criticism from some research institutions in Australia and overseas.
It is understood the Bureau of Meteorology put forward two proposals that would see it hire either 40 or 50 CSIRO scientists as it took on more climate measurement and modelling – but was contingent on additional funding to pay for them. CSIRO is yet to respond in detail.
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| CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall. Photo: Pat Scala |
"I am deeply concerned about the time it is taking to develop a transition plan," Dr Finkel told Fairfax Media.
"Many options have been put forward and we are waiting for the CSIRO planning process to advance. I remain optimistic about finding a way forward, but time is of the essence."
It is understood the Bureau of Meteorology drew up lists of the names of the CSIRO scientists it would hire.
Under its larger proposal, which would see it take on 50 scientists, it would take responsibility for all remaining climate science programs in the oceans and atmosphere division, including the Cape Grim greenhouse gas monitoring station in north-west Tasmania which the two organisations currently run in partnership.
Internal emails between CSIRO senior managers released this week showed they had discussed the need for the organisation's oceans and atmosphere division to stop doing "science for science sake", and getting rid of all "public good/government-funded climate research" as focus shifted to work that would bring in money. CSIRO spokesman Huw Morgan said they were options considered during early planning.
Dr Marshall, a former venture capitalist and trained physicist, told Senate estimates in February that the organisation planned to cut climate monitoring and measuring staff by about half. He has said that all culled jobs would be replaced over the next two years by appointments in new areas, including research to help combat climate change.
On Tuesday night, Mr Morgan said CSIRO was in ongoing discussions with the Bureau of Meteorology and other organisations about a number of options, and consulting with affected staff. "CSIRO is working within a responsible and considered framework and will continue to do so," he said.
The Bureau of Meteorology declined to comment.
Andy Pitman, director of the University of NSW's Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science, said CSIRO had put itself in an untenable situation.
"The email exchange reported by Fairfax Media made perfectly clear to anybody in oceans and atmosphere that senior management doesn't value them," he said.
Professor Pitman said the bureau proposal made some sense if there was money for it. If not, there was the potential for "a downward spiral" in which it would be increasingly difficult to retain staff and attract the world's best scientists.
Dr Marshall is scheduled to give evidence to a Senate inquiry into the CSIRO cuts on Thursday.
Links
- Emails show CSIRO plan to cut climate research
- CSIRO emails reveal new directionNo 'science for science sake': emails show CSIRO plans to cut climate research
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