UNSW Climate Change Research Centre
@ccrc.bsky.social
A multi-disciplinary research group based at UNSW, Australia. Affiliated to @21stcenturyweather.bsky.social and @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social
CCRC houses research expertise in the key areas of Earth's climate: atmospheric, oceanic & terrestrial processes
CCRC houses research expertise in the key areas of Earth's climate: atmospheric, oceanic & terrestrial processes
Congrats to Michael Eabry et al. on their paper showing how synoptically varying sub-monthly episodes, SAM phase transition (cf. Zonal Wave 3 activity) and ocean/ice-cover preconditioning were important for the 2016 Antarctic sea-ice decline.
Read more: doi.org/10.1175/JCLI...
Read more: doi.org/10.1175/JCLI...
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Congrats to Michael Eabry et al. on their paper showing how synoptically varying sub-monthly episodes, SAM phase transition (cf. Zonal Wave 3 activity) and ocean/ice-cover preconditioning were important for the 2016 Antarctic sea-ice decline.
Read more: doi.org/10.1175/JCLI...
Read more: doi.org/10.1175/JCLI...
Congratulations to Alex Sen Gupta for his Nature opinion piece. A sharp look at how future AI could reshape PhD research, when a student collaborates with a simulated advanced AI to write a paper, raising big questions about authorship and academia.
Full read: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Full read: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
PhD training needs a reboot in an AI world
As machines get better at data analysis and writing tasks, doctoral training must evolve to make the most of artificial-intelligence outputs.
www.nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Congratulations to Alex Sen Gupta for his Nature opinion piece. A sharp look at how future AI could reshape PhD research, when a student collaborates with a simulated advanced AI to write a paper, raising big questions about authorship and academia.
Full read: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Full read: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Many congratulations to Thomas Schmaltz, chosen as one of 18 outstanding Australians to receive the prestigious John Monash Scholarship! This award will support his PhD in Glaciology abroad, exploring how our planet’s frozen frontiers are changing.
So proud of you, Tom!
So proud of you, Tom!
November 3, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Many congratulations to Thomas Schmaltz, chosen as one of 18 outstanding Australians to receive the prestigious John Monash Scholarship! This award will support his PhD in Glaciology abroad, exploring how our planet’s frozen frontiers are changing.
So proud of you, Tom!
So proud of you, Tom!
Congratulations to Matt Grant and the CCRC team! Recent work shows that while Australian droughts have declined since the early 1900s,some regions have risen recently.Machine Learning reveals multiple drivers, not just rainfall, that shape these trends.
Full Read: hess.copernicus.org/articles/29/...
Full Read: hess.copernicus.org/articles/29/...
Historical trends of seasonal droughts in Australia
Abstract. Australia frequently experiences severe and widespread droughts, causing impacts on food security, the economy, and human health. Despite this, recent research to comprehensively understand ...
hess.copernicus.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Congratulations to Matt Grant and the CCRC team! Recent work shows that while Australian droughts have declined since the early 1900s,some regions have risen recently.Machine Learning reveals multiple drivers, not just rainfall, that shape these trends.
Full Read: hess.copernicus.org/articles/29/...
Full Read: hess.copernicus.org/articles/29/...
CCRC’s Lisa and Loan found that regional precipitation datasets are systematically drier than global ones, a puzzling bias that remains after testing multiple explanations. This raises new questions about how rainfall is represented across scales.
Read more: journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
Read more: journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
October 20, 2025 at 6:01 AM
CCRC’s Lisa and Loan found that regional precipitation datasets are systematically drier than global ones, a puzzling bias that remains after testing multiple explanations. This raises new questions about how rainfall is represented across scales.
Read more: journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
Read more: journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
Excited to welcome Sam Dahl to the CCRC!
He joins us from the University of Arizona, where he completed his BSc and MSc in Atmospheric Science. Sam’s PhD, supervised by Lisa Alexander, will explore sub-hourly extreme rainfall prediction using convective-permitting models over Australia.
He joins us from the University of Arizona, where he completed his BSc and MSc in Atmospheric Science. Sam’s PhD, supervised by Lisa Alexander, will explore sub-hourly extreme rainfall prediction using convective-permitting models over Australia.
October 20, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Excited to welcome Sam Dahl to the CCRC!
He joins us from the University of Arizona, where he completed his BSc and MSc in Atmospheric Science. Sam’s PhD, supervised by Lisa Alexander, will explore sub-hourly extreme rainfall prediction using convective-permitting models over Australia.
He joins us from the University of Arizona, where he completed his BSc and MSc in Atmospheric Science. Sam’s PhD, supervised by Lisa Alexander, will explore sub-hourly extreme rainfall prediction using convective-permitting models over Australia.
Reposted by UNSW Climate Change Research Centre
🎥 On-camera media training session at UNSW yesterday with our early career researchers @fabiobdias.bsky.social and Zhi Li! Great questions, plenty of enthusiasm, and lots of behind-the-scenes action 📸
@ccrc.bsky.social
@ccrc.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 3:38 AM
🎥 On-camera media training session at UNSW yesterday with our early career researchers @fabiobdias.bsky.social and Zhi Li! Great questions, plenty of enthusiasm, and lots of behind-the-scenes action 📸
@ccrc.bsky.social
@ccrc.bsky.social
Christina Schmidt @christinaocean.bsky.social from CCRC is featured in the UNSW story "Breaking the ice: why study Antarctica?" On the Denman Marine Voyage she analyzed oxygen concentration and saw jade-green icebergs, penguins, and sea ice.
Read more: news.unsw.edu.au/en/breaking-...
Read more: news.unsw.edu.au/en/breaking-...
Breaking the ice: why study Antarctica?
From unique wildlife to resilient microbes, world-changing climate dynamics to untapped biotechnological potential – four UNSW scientists outline what makes Antarctica a laboratory like no other.
news.unsw.edu.au
October 3, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Christina Schmidt @christinaocean.bsky.social from CCRC is featured in the UNSW story "Breaking the ice: why study Antarctica?" On the Denman Marine Voyage she analyzed oxygen concentration and saw jade-green icebergs, penguins, and sea ice.
Read more: news.unsw.edu.au/en/breaking-...
Read more: news.unsw.edu.au/en/breaking-...
Huge congratulations to Xinyue Zhang on submitting her PhD thesis! 🎉
Her research shows how dryland vegetation responds to climate change, with most areas continuing to green while some face desertification. This highlights the crucial role of sustainable land management.
We are so proud!
Her research shows how dryland vegetation responds to climate change, with most areas continuing to green while some face desertification. This highlights the crucial role of sustainable land management.
We are so proud!
October 1, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Huge congratulations to Xinyue Zhang on submitting her PhD thesis! 🎉
Her research shows how dryland vegetation responds to climate change, with most areas continuing to green while some face desertification. This highlights the crucial role of sustainable land management.
We are so proud!
Her research shows how dryland vegetation responds to climate change, with most areas continuing to green while some face desertification. This highlights the crucial role of sustainable land management.
We are so proud!
Congrats to our recent PhD graduate Elona Rey-Costa on her final thesis paper, just published in Energy Reports. The study shows household electrification in Australia’s NEM could lower system costs by up to 17% and better integrate renewables.
Read more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Read more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The role of household electrification in reducing system-wide energy costs in Australia’s National Electricity Market
Household electrification has been proposed as a strategy to reshape residential energy consumption to better align with the variability of a 100 % re…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Congrats to our recent PhD graduate Elona Rey-Costa on her final thesis paper, just published in Energy Reports. The study shows household electrification in Australia’s NEM could lower system costs by up to 17% and better integrate renewables.
Read more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Read more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Marine heatwaves are more than skin-deep. A new paper "Lifting the Lid on Marine Heatwaves", led by CCRC’s @neilmalan.bsky.social & Alex Sen Gupta, sets a framework for subsurface heatwaves and how extremes at depth impact ecosystems in a changing climate. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 30, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Marine heatwaves are more than skin-deep. A new paper "Lifting the Lid on Marine Heatwaves", led by CCRC’s @neilmalan.bsky.social & Alex Sen Gupta, sets a framework for subsurface heatwaves and how extremes at depth impact ecosystems in a changing climate. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
CCRC Senior Research Fellow @drjucker.bsky.social explains in this Conversation article what is happening above Antarctica right now, and how it might impact us: theconversation.com/air-temperat...
@unswbees.bsky.social
@unswbees.bsky.social
Air temperatures over Antarctica have soared 35ºC above average. What does this unusual event mean for Australia?
The stratospheric polar vortex high above Antarctica has rapidly heated up. These sudden bursts of heat can bring rapid weather changes in Australia
theconversation.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:37 AM
CCRC Senior Research Fellow @drjucker.bsky.social explains in this Conversation article what is happening above Antarctica right now, and how it might impact us: theconversation.com/air-temperat...
@unswbees.bsky.social
@unswbees.bsky.social
🌏 This week, @jasonpevans.bsky.social and Andrea from CCRC are attending the Pan-CLIVAR meeting in Bali 🇮🇩
Jason is representing two major international climate research programs: GEWEX and CORDEX, and Andrea is a co-chair of the CLIVAR Pacific Regional Panel and a member of the Tropical ++
Jason is representing two major international climate research programs: GEWEX and CORDEX, and Andrea is a co-chair of the CLIVAR Pacific Regional Panel and a member of the Tropical ++
September 26, 2025 at 1:47 AM
🌏 This week, @jasonpevans.bsky.social and Andrea from CCRC are attending the Pan-CLIVAR meeting in Bali 🇮🇩
Jason is representing two major international climate research programs: GEWEX and CORDEX, and Andrea is a co-chair of the CLIVAR Pacific Regional Panel and a member of the Tropical ++
Jason is representing two major international climate research programs: GEWEX and CORDEX, and Andrea is a co-chair of the CLIVAR Pacific Regional Panel and a member of the Tropical ++
🎉 Huge congratulations to Tanya, who submitted the final revised version of her PhD thesis last week! An incredible milestone marking years of dedication, hard work, and perseverance.
We are so proud to celebrate this achievement with her — onwards to the next chapter!
We are so proud to celebrate this achievement with her — onwards to the next chapter!
September 15, 2025 at 1:50 AM
🎉 Huge congratulations to Tanya, who submitted the final revised version of her PhD thesis last week! An incredible milestone marking years of dedication, hard work, and perseverance.
We are so proud to celebrate this achievement with her — onwards to the next chapter!
We are so proud to celebrate this achievement with her — onwards to the next chapter!
Congrats to A/Profs Laurie Menviel & Negin Nazarian @neginnazarian.bsky.social, IPCC AR7 Lead Authors; affiliates Melissa Hart @melissatraveler.bsky.social & Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick @sarahinscience.bsky.social, and alumni Nicola Maher @nicolamaher.bsky.social, Jatin Kala & Faye Cruz in new roles.
August 26, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Congrats to A/Profs Laurie Menviel & Negin Nazarian @neginnazarian.bsky.social, IPCC AR7 Lead Authors; affiliates Melissa Hart @melissatraveler.bsky.social & Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick @sarahinscience.bsky.social, and alumni Nicola Maher @nicolamaher.bsky.social, Jatin Kala & Faye Cruz in new roles.
New paper🚨: If you are interested in how Sydney's land cover has transformed over the last three decades, and how it can be mapped?
This new study by CCRC’s Shankar Sharma, with @jasonpevans.bsky.social, Andy Pitman, @neginnazarian.bsky.social, @mlip.bsky.social, ++
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
This new study by CCRC’s Shankar Sharma, with @jasonpevans.bsky.social, Andy Pitman, @neginnazarian.bsky.social, @mlip.bsky.social, ++
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Mapping urban dynamics in Greater Sydney – A scalable multi-decadal local climate zone classification approach
Urbanization has significantly altered land surface properties, leading to changes in local micro-climates and impacts on regional climate. To understand these changes, long-term, precise urban land u...
dx.plos.org
August 11, 2025 at 1:22 AM
New paper🚨: If you are interested in how Sydney's land cover has transformed over the last three decades, and how it can be mapped?
This new study by CCRC’s Shankar Sharma, with @jasonpevans.bsky.social, Andy Pitman, @neginnazarian.bsky.social, @mlip.bsky.social, ++
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
This new study by CCRC’s Shankar Sharma, with @jasonpevans.bsky.social, Andy Pitman, @neginnazarian.bsky.social, @mlip.bsky.social, ++
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Are you interested in the drivers of extreme wind gusts in NSW, Australia?
This new study finds that environmental instability diagnostics (MUCAPE, DCP, etc) are more influential than environmental wind speeds and moisture parameters alone in predicting observed extreme gusts (≥25 m/s). Read more:
This new study finds that environmental instability diagnostics (MUCAPE, DCP, etc) are more influential than environmental wind speeds and moisture parameters alone in predicting observed extreme gusts (≥25 m/s). Read more:
Distinguishing environmental controls on strong vs. extreme wind gusts
Statistical and theoretical models of wind gusts may be dominated by more common strong events, rather than rare but damaging extreme ones. We address…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 4, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Are you interested in the drivers of extreme wind gusts in NSW, Australia?
This new study finds that environmental instability diagnostics (MUCAPE, DCP, etc) are more influential than environmental wind speeds and moisture parameters alone in predicting observed extreme gusts (≥25 m/s). Read more:
This new study finds that environmental instability diagnostics (MUCAPE, DCP, etc) are more influential than environmental wind speeds and moisture parameters alone in predicting observed extreme gusts (≥25 m/s). Read more:
A new paper led by @christinaocean.bsky.social investigates the sensitivity of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) formation and export to horizontal model resolution
👉 formation of dense shelf waters decrease while the export of AABW increases with finer model resolution
doi.org/10.1029/2024...
👉 formation of dense shelf waters decrease while the export of AABW increases with finer model resolution
doi.org/10.1029/2024...
Sensitivity of Antarctic Bottom Water Formation and Export to Horizontal Model Resolution
Dense Shelf Water formation decreases when the model resolution is refined from 1/10° to 1/20° to 1/40° due to shelf freshening Antarctic Bottom Water export increases with finer model resolution...
doi.org
July 14, 2025 at 6:06 AM
A new paper led by @christinaocean.bsky.social investigates the sensitivity of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) formation and export to horizontal model resolution
👉 formation of dense shelf waters decrease while the export of AABW increases with finer model resolution
doi.org/10.1029/2024...
👉 formation of dense shelf waters decrease while the export of AABW increases with finer model resolution
doi.org/10.1029/2024...
Key climate wild cards like tipping points and abrupt shifts are still missing from many models. A new piece by CCRC’s @katrinmeissner.bsky.social & Steven Sherwood explains why accounting for these uncertainties is essential.
Read the full piece here: www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/new...
Read the full piece here: www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/new...
The climate wild cards still missing from our models
Climate models have been remarkably effective at projecting global warming trends, but they still fail to fully capture some crucial processes that could dramatically accelerate climate change, accord...
www.unsw.edu.au
July 8, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Key climate wild cards like tipping points and abrupt shifts are still missing from many models. A new piece by CCRC’s @katrinmeissner.bsky.social & Steven Sherwood explains why accounting for these uncertainties is essential.
Read the full piece here: www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/new...
Read the full piece here: www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/new...
The Mauna Loa Observatory, home of the iconic Keeling Curve is at risk of shutdown. A new Conversation piece by CCRC's Alex Sen Gupta, @katrinmeissner.bsky.social & @timraupach.com explains why this matters for climate science. Don’t miss it.
theconversation.com/mauna-loa-ob...
theconversation.com/mauna-loa-ob...
Mauna Loa Observatory captured the reality of climate change. The US plans to shut it down
Cutting data climate collection – as the Trump administration is now trying to do – is like breaking a thermometer to avoid knowing you’ve got a fever.
theconversation.com
July 8, 2025 at 2:23 AM
The Mauna Loa Observatory, home of the iconic Keeling Curve is at risk of shutdown. A new Conversation piece by CCRC's Alex Sen Gupta, @katrinmeissner.bsky.social & @timraupach.com explains why this matters for climate science. Don’t miss it.
theconversation.com/mauna-loa-ob...
theconversation.com/mauna-loa-ob...
New global review in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, incl. CCRC’s Alex Sen Gupta, shows marine heatwaves are reshaping ecosystems from coral bleaching to kelp loss disrupting fisheries,food webs & coastal livelihoods. Urgent need to cut emissions, build resilience & adapt fast.
doi.org/10.1038/s443....
doi.org/10.1038/s443....
Marine heatwaves as hot spots of climate change and impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services - Nature Reviews Biodiversity
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) have become more intense and widespread globally, affecting species, ecosystems and people. After summarizing how and why MHWs are changing, this Review explores these impacts ...
doi.org
July 8, 2025 at 2:16 AM
New global review in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, incl. CCRC’s Alex Sen Gupta, shows marine heatwaves are reshaping ecosystems from coral bleaching to kelp loss disrupting fisheries,food webs & coastal livelihoods. Urgent need to cut emissions, build resilience & adapt fast.
doi.org/10.1038/s443....
doi.org/10.1038/s443....
Climate models are powerful, but do they miss some wild cards? 🌥️ Prof. @katrinmeissner.bsky.social and Steven Sherwood from CCRC explain that carbon feedbacks & tipping points could accelerate warming faster than we expect.🌍💨 More details: www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/new... #ClimateScience #CarbonCycle
The climate wild cards still missing from our models
Climate models have been remarkably effective at projecting global warming trends, but they still fail to fully capture some crucial processes that could dramatically accelerate climate change, accord...
www.unsw.edu.au
July 4, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Climate models are powerful, but do they miss some wild cards? 🌥️ Prof. @katrinmeissner.bsky.social and Steven Sherwood from CCRC explain that carbon feedbacks & tipping points could accelerate warming faster than we expect.🌍💨 More details: www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/new... #ClimateScience #CarbonCycle
Paper 🚨:
This new study from CCRC finds that the number of extreme El Niño events varies nonlinearly across different climates, constraining its future increase to up to 50% due to global warming. For more details:
cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/...
This new study from CCRC finds that the number of extreme El Niño events varies nonlinearly across different climates, constraining its future increase to up to 50% due to global warming. For more details:
cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/...
Rapid communication: Nonlinear sensitivity of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation across climate states
Abstract. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the dominant mode of tropical climate variability. Understanding its sensitivity to climate states is of societal and ecosystem importance given th...
cp.copernicus.org
July 3, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Paper 🚨:
This new study from CCRC finds that the number of extreme El Niño events varies nonlinearly across different climates, constraining its future increase to up to 50% due to global warming. For more details:
cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/...
This new study from CCRC finds that the number of extreme El Niño events varies nonlinearly across different climates, constraining its future increase to up to 50% due to global warming. For more details:
cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/...
New paper 🚨: This research uses ACCESS-ESM1.5 to simulate ocean oxygenation during past interglacials (MIS 5e & 9e).
Read here: cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/...
@good-ocean-oxy.bsky.social
@pastoxygen.bsky.social
@katrinmeissner.bsky.social
@oceano2.bsky.social
#PaleoClimate #OceanOxygen
Read here: cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/...
@good-ocean-oxy.bsky.social
@pastoxygen.bsky.social
@katrinmeissner.bsky.social
@oceano2.bsky.social
#PaleoClimate #OceanOxygen
Simulated ocean oxygenation during the interglacials MIS 5e and MIS 9e
Abstract. Recent studies investigating future warming scenarios have shown that the ocean oxygen content will continue to decrease over the coming century due to ocean warming and changes in oceanic c...
cp.copernicus.org
June 30, 2025 at 1:32 AM
New paper 🚨: This research uses ACCESS-ESM1.5 to simulate ocean oxygenation during past interglacials (MIS 5e & 9e).
Read here: cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/...
@good-ocean-oxy.bsky.social
@pastoxygen.bsky.social
@katrinmeissner.bsky.social
@oceano2.bsky.social
#PaleoClimate #OceanOxygen
Read here: cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/...
@good-ocean-oxy.bsky.social
@pastoxygen.bsky.social
@katrinmeissner.bsky.social
@oceano2.bsky.social
#PaleoClimate #OceanOxygen
