Climate change and museum collections

The first of a series of round-table discussions, collectively termed Dialogues for a New Century, was held at the National Gallery on 17 September, 2008. This event titled Climate Change and Museum Collections, aimed to present and discuss the results of climate change and its effects upon cultural heritage, particularly that which is contained in museums and house collections. Jerry Podany inaugurated the meeting by introducing the Dialogues for a New Century initiative, which aims to raise awareness on the issues and concerns of time that influence, and are influenced by, heritage conservation. Professor Cristina Sabbioni, research director of the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate in Italy, addressed the topic of 'Climate change and cultural heritage research', noting that climate change is currently attracting a huge amount of attention both at the political and research level. Professor May Cassar, director of the Center for Sustainable Heritage at University College, London, addressed topics on the risk of damage to indoor temperature and relative humidity changes.