Round table on climate change

IIC Round Table on
Climate Change and Museum Collections
London
September 2008

The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and
Artistic Works (IIC) invites you to join the discussions at a public
round table on the implications of climate change and its effects
upon cultural heritage, particularly that within museums and house
collections.

The round table will take place at the Sainsbury Wing Theatre of the
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London on September 17, 2008,
from 6:15 - 7:30 pm as part of the 22nd IIC Congress "Conservation
and Access" (15-19 September in London).  Seating is limited and
will be offered on a first-come, first serve basis.

More information can be found at
4
    <URL:http://www.iiconservation.org/congress>

Introductions:

    Jerry Podany
    President IIC

    Sarah Staniforth
    Historic Properties Director, The National Trust
    Moderator

Presentations:

    Professor May Cassar
    Director, Centre for Sustainable Heritage, University College
    London and AHRC/EPSRC Programme Director for Science and
    Heritage

    Michael C. Henry
    Principal Engineer/Architect with Watson and Henry Associates,
    New Jersey

    James M. Reilly
    Director, Image Permanence Institute, Rochester, New York

    Professor Christina Sabbioni
    Research Director, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and
    Climate, CNR (Italy) and Coordinator of EC Project 'Noah's Ark'

    Sir Nicholas Serota
    Director of Tate

The changing climate of our earth has implications that go beyond
the dramatic effects of storms and rising sea levels, shifts in
migratory patterns and habitats, or the potential for increased
health risks from pollutants. Weather patterns and temperature
variations also affect the long term preservation of the world's
cultural treasures which we enjoy and which inspire us every day.

The threats that come with climate change do not just exist in the
outdoor environment. The delicate and fragile treasures within our
museums are also susceptible. Museum and house collections that may
not have previously required environmental control may soon require
such efforts to meet their preservation responsibilities. Those
collections protected by environmental systems may be at greater
risk if such systems are not updated and expanded in capacity. To
remain effective the maintenance plans for historic buildings,
public monuments, and archaeological sites will require adaptation
to our changing climate.

Such needs come at great cost unless planned well in advance, and
traditional solutions may ultimately directly contribute to our
global climatic problems. The development of more efficient,
affordable, and environmentally sustainable systems is now more
important than ever. These issues and many others are part of this
evening's dynamic discussion.

This event inaugurates a new initiative of occasional round tables
led by the IIC, entitled: "Dialogues for the New Century: Round
table discussions on the conservation of cultural heritage in a
changing world"

Graham Voce
Executive Secretary
International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic
    Works (IIC)
6 Buckingham Street
London WC2N 6BA
UK
+44 20 7839 5975
Fax: +44 20 7976 1564


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:64
                   Distributed: Sunday, June 8, 2008
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