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Research brief: Rescuing centuries-old meteorological measurements

October 21, 2019 12:07 pm Published by Comments Off on Research brief: Rescuing centuries-old meteorological measurements

This paper documents the efforts of the international weather data rescue initiative ACRE, the International Surface Temperature Initiative and researchers that took part in workshops held in Bern, Switzerland, in June 2018 to rescue and digitize meteorological measurements taken prior to 1850 from around the world.

Research brief: Gravity waves cause unusual turbulence

October 15, 2019 4:18 pm Published by Comments Off on Research brief: Gravity waves cause unusual turbulence

This research uses commercial aircraft data and high-resolution simulations to study a case in 2005 over the United States where severe turbulence was encountered about 50km away from a large mesoscale convective system. Of relevance, current aviation turbulence avoidance guidelines recommend avoiding storms by 32 km (20 miles).

Enter the Plastisphere

October 3, 2019 11:33 am Published by Comments Off on Enter the Plastisphere

Intergenerational equity was the theme of last weekend. On Friday I attended the Climate Strike in Melbourne. The crowd was massive as people of all ages and all walks of life gathered to tell the leaders of the world that we wanted real action on climate change.

Safeguarding the world’s largest tuna fishery

October 2, 2019 12:03 pm Published by Comments Off on Safeguarding the world’s largest tuna fishery

New research has used a combination of records from captains and scientific observers, FAD tracking data, ocean models and cutting edge simulation methods to reveal for the first time the trajectories and potential impact FADs may have on fisheries around Pacific island nations.

Does global warming cause droughts, drying or increased aridity?

September 20, 2019 3:06 pm Published by Comments Off on Does global warming cause droughts, drying or increased aridity?

In an hour-long talk to a business forum, Andy Pitman said: “there is no link between climate change and drought”. Given the audience were not climate scientists, or interested in the physics of the climate, this statement was one word too brief. Andy fully admits he should have said: “there is no direct link between climate change and drought”.

Research brief: How heat in the Indian Ocean moves between the ocean and atmosphere

September 6, 2019 2:40 pm Published by Comments Off on Research brief: How heat in the Indian Ocean moves between the ocean and atmosphere

In this study, CLEX researchers use two years of measurements from a flux mooring combined with satellite data and model outputs to understand the seasonal changes in air‐sea fluxes and the role of ocean currents in controlling ocean surface temperatures in the southeast Indian Ocean.

2℃ of global warming would put pressure on Melbourne’s water supply

September 2, 2019 3:37 pm Published by Comments Off on 2℃ of global warming would put pressure on Melbourne’s water supply

Melbourne’s existing water supplies may face pressure if global warming hits the 2℃ level. The effects of drying and warming in southern Australia are expected to reduce natural water supplies. If we overshoot 2℃ of warming, even the desalination plant might not provide enough drinking water to a growing population.