involving top scientists and insurance company representatives starting Sunday.

The conference is part of an ongoing series of Risk Prediction Initiative workshops which allow communication between climate experts and their insurance company sponsors.

BBSR spokeswoman Susan Howard said: "The scientists that are funded through RPI are coming in to report on their results to date. There are 12 scientists coming in from North America.

"The main goal of the conference is to show what has been achieved and identify where research is going to be directed next.'' RPI is a move to enhance ties between scientific and business communities with scientists trying to better predict the occurrence of catastrophes through their research.

The information is provided to insurance and re-insurance companies who have traditionally based their polices on past patterns. The plan is to provide a better understanding of the past to aid these insurers in the future.

SCIENCE SCI