The conference brings scientists from all over the world to discuss topics of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental issues. Photo Credit: AsiaFlux
For the first time ever, Sarawak will be hosting the AsiaFlux 2022, a
conference for scientists to share advances and information on
greenhouse gases (GHG) cycling and issues on environmental sciences of
tropical peat.
The international conference organised by the Malaysian Peat Society
(MPS), in partnership with the Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute
(Tropi) and AsiaFlux Science Steering Committee, will be held at Tropi
in Kota Samarahan from 20 to 22 September.
Tropi director Lulie Melling, said it is a great honour for Sarawak
to be selected as host of AsiaFlux, adding that one of the reasons for
this selection is the Tropi researchers’ successful efforts at
publishing several scientific publications in high-impact journals which
have high citations.
“Tropi has done extensive research, especially regarding the GHG
fluxes and responsible management and conservation of tropical peat and
peatland,” she added.
More than 500 delegates from across 20 countries are expected to
attend the three-day conference, alongside guest-of-honour Abang Johari
Openg, premier of Sarawak.
This year’s edition is themed ‘The Nexus of Land Use Change,
Ecosystems & Climate: A Path Towards Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)’, serving as a platform for researchers, academicians, industry
professionals and policymakers to congregate, share information, and
discuss current trends on the topic of greenhouse gases cycling, among
others.
“International speakers and industry experts all the way from
Germany, Hong Kong, Estonia, Japan, USA and of course, Malaysia will
deliver their presentations and deliberate with the participants over
six purposeful sub-themes,” Melling shared.
In the lead up to the conference, there will also be a free training
programme from 18 to 19 September focusing on the theory of GHG flux
measurement and the application of tools for conducting eddy flux
measurements, including data analysis and processing.
“Delegates will also have the opportunity to experience tropical peat
swamp forests at the Maludam National Park, which includes the
Eddy-Covariance Flux Tower site in our post-event excursion programme on
22 and 23 September.
“The field trip provides an ideal opportunity for delegates to
unleash their inner adventurous self to explore the beautiful sights and
sounds, especially the natural wonders of Sarawak, and by extension,
Borneo,” she added.