To the Editor:

Re “Australia Turns Its Back on Climate Science” (editorial, March 4), about changes in focus and funding by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization:

Australia remains committed to climate science research and to increased global action to address climate change. Csiro, Australia’s leading science agency, is making a strong contribution to the growing body of international climate change knowledge.

There is also significant research being funded under the National Environmental Science Program, through the Australian Antarctic Division, and the climate data analysis, monitoring and forecasting efforts of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Many of our world-leading universities and climate scientists receive government funding for their research. We are renowned in international climate change forums for contributing a uniquely Southern Hemisphere perspective.

Csiro will continue to lead the way, spending about 83 million Australian dollars a year ($62 million U.S.) on research into climate change mitigation and adaptation. Australia has also committed 23.9 million Australian dollars ($17.9 million) over six years to establish the Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub. The hub involves a multidisciplinary consortium led by Csiro and will improve our observations of past and current changes in climate, and lead to a better understanding of how the climate system might evolve in the future.