BIOS and Executive Sponsor HSBC Announce New Climate Change Initiative

BIOS has undertaken a project to report on the science and impacts of climate change, with a specific focus on Bermuda. This effort is supported by HSBC, and is being led by Dr. Mark Guishard, adjunct faculty at BIOS and Director of the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS), a section of the Bermuda Airport Authority.

Katherine Grantham, HSBC COO and Executive Sponsor overseeing the partnership with HSBC said, “In recent years we have seen the world work together to address the impacts of climate change. In Bermuda, many companies, like HSBC, are now taking steps towards building net zero plans within their operations. HSBC Bermuda is proud to support this important research led by BIOS, which we hope will provide our community with key information on the impacts of climate change on our island home and most importantly, how we can collectively work together to address climate change and further embed sustainability in our everyday lives.”

“I’m honoured and excited to be able to contribute to this critical work,” Dr. Guishard said. “In the decade since the last Bermuda climate change report was undertaken, we’ve seen key advances in our understanding of climate risks to Bermuda. Scientific observations, modelling and projections of storm activity, sea level rise, and the amount and intensity of rainfall affecting Bermuda have all revealed profound changes in natural hazards and climate extremes this century.”

The project, which began earlier this year, entails compiling existing science and data, and will actively involve Bermudian and international university-level interns. The first part of the report will summarise the science of changes in the climate of Bermuda and, just as importantly, the uncertainties that the future holds. The second portion will focus on impacts to Bermuda that may result from climate change and its effects on local natural hazards, such as hurricanes.

The synthesis report will highlight critical issues facing Bermuda, in support of public understanding of risks, and in the interest of building resilience.