Australia's climate change experts presented the latest international and national findings on climate change science to a forum of industry leaders in Hobart today.

For Tasmania, the findings include heavier rainfall and more extremely wet years as well as increased dry spells.

The Climate Change Forum focused on reports released this year by the international body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These reports highlighted the current state of knowledge on climate change and its effects on natural and human systems.

CSIRO regional projections, highlighting climate change issues for Tasmania, were also be presented at the Forum.

"The IPCC report, Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis, highlights new and stronger evidence that humans are having an influence on global climate through greenhouse gas emissions," said Chief Executive of the Australian Greenhouse Office, Gwen Andrews.

"For Tasmania, global climate change is likely to mean drier summers, autumns and springs with more rainfall in winter," Ms Andrews said.

"There is also expected to be increased evaporation, more hot days and fewer frosts."

Scientists discussed the implications of climate change for Tasmania's natural resources and related industry including agriculture, forestry, salmon aquaculture, wild fisheries and urban planning.

"In addition to continuing action to reduce greenhouse emissions, industry as well as government, need to be thinking about how Australia can best adapt to a warmer world."

Internationally respected Australian scientists Dr John Church from CSIRO Marine Research in Hobart and Mr Kevin Hennessy of CSIRO Atmospheric Research, presented the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on future climate change and sea level rise.