News Release

Canada’s Environment Minister Congratulates Scientist Elected as Vice-Chair of IPCC Working Group

OTTAWA, Ontario, September 4, 2008 -- Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today was pleased to announce that Dr. Francis Zwiers, Director of Environment Canada’s Climate Research Division, was elected as a vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I.  This important group assesses the physical scientific aspects of the climate system and climate change.

“We are very proud that Canadian scientists like Dr. Zwiers and others are helping to lead the way on international climate change issues,” said Minister Baird.  “As always, Canada continues to work collaboratively with our global partners through the United Nations and other bodies to find real solutions on climate change.”

Dr. Zwiers is well-known to the IPCC community, and the scientific community at large, as an expert in the field of climate research. He served as Coordinating Lead Author for a chapter in the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report entitled, “Understanding and Attributing Climate Change.” He has also received numerous awards of excellence, and published more than 160 scientific articles.

As one of the new vice-chairs of the IPCC Working Group I, Dr. Zwiers will continue towork collaboratively with our global partners to assess the physical and scientific aspects of climate change.

“On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada, I congratulate Dr. Zwiers on his election as vice-chair and look forward to working with him in the future,” concluded Minister Baird.

The Government of Canada is supportive of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s work and is proud of Canadian scientists’ contribution to this Nobel Peace Prize winning organization. The Panel’s work adds to our understanding of the risks associated with human activities that contribute to climate change and offers options for adaptation and mitigation.

For further information, contact:

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441

Environment Canada
Media Relations
(819) 934-8008
1-888-908-8008