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The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report: What does it mean for Tasmania?

September 7, 2021 12:17 pm Published by Comments Off on The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report: What does it mean for Tasmania?

To better understand the implications of the latest climate science for Tasmania, this brief combines information from the IPCC AR6 WG1 report, with regional assessments that contributed to the UTAS Blueprint for a climate-positive Tasmania, and expertise from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEX). The regional information is based on Tasmania-specific downscaled modelling undertaken by Climate Futures for Tasmania. 

What is left in the global carbon budget?

August 25, 2021 3:37 pm Published by Comments Off on What is left in the global carbon budget?

The Paris Agreement requires countries to commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to ensure that the global average temperature remains well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. But how likely are we to meet these targets?

Briefing note 15: Can we limit global warming to 1.5C°?

July 28, 2021 2:43 pm Published by Comments Off on Briefing note 15: Can we limit global warming to 1.5C°?

Irrespective of tipping points, climate change adaptation efforts will be less costly and disruptive to society – and will stand a better chance of success – if warming can be limited to 1.5°C rather than 2°C or higher. We therefore in no way advocate for policies that forgo pursuing the ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C, regardless of whether that target remains feasible or not.

The latest global climate models present challenges for generating climate projections

June 23, 2021 10:41 am Published by Comments Off on The latest global climate models present challenges for generating climate projections

Climate sensitivity describes how sensitive the Earth’s temperature is to a doubling of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. One measure of climate sensitivity for projections of future climate is the Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity (ECS). ECS is the increase in the global average temperature between the pre-industrial era and a future doubled carbon dioxide climate once equilibrium of the climate has been reached.

How might Australia contribute to a next-generation global climate modelling facility?

May 19, 2021 11:57 am Published by Comments Off on How might Australia contribute to a next-generation global climate modelling facility?

The Royal Society has called for an international next-generation climate modelling centre (pdf), based on new cutting-edge high-performance computing and data services to support efforts toward net-zero emissions and to enable effective climate adaptation.

Research on the Antarctic stratospheric polar vortex is important for Australia’s seasonal forecasts

April 7, 2020 2:51 pm Published by Comments Off on Research on the Antarctic stratospheric polar vortex is important for Australia’s seasonal forecasts

Research has established a link between Antarctic stratospheric winds and an increased risk of weather conducive to bushfires from late spring to early summer. Further research on the relationship between winds and ozone in the Antarctic stratosphere could improve seasonal forecasts for Australia.

Research on heatwaves and droughts by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes supports a major international report on Climate Change and Land

December 11, 2019 11:11 am Published by Comments Off on Research on heatwaves and droughts by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes supports a major international report on Climate Change and Land

This research brief examines how research from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes informed the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land.

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”.

Briefing note 008: Global crop yields are strongly affected by extreme climate conditions

August 14, 2019 11:39 am Published by Comments Off on Briefing note 008: Global crop yields are strongly affected by extreme climate conditions

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes has contributed to a new scientific study that reveals that extremely hot and cold temperatures, drought and heavy rainfall strongly affect the year-to-year variation in the total global yield of four important crops.