James Kirkham
@jdkirkham.bsky.social
Climate 🌡️ | Glaciology 🧊 | Science diplomacy 🗺️ | Policy 📜
Chief Science Advisor and Coordinator of the ‘Ambition on Melting Ice’ high level group on Sea-Level Rise and Mountain Water Resources
https://ambitionmeltingice.org/membership/
Chief Science Advisor and Coordinator of the ‘Ambition on Melting Ice’ high level group on Sea-Level Rise and Mountain Water Resources
https://ambitionmeltingice.org/membership/
Pinned
James Kirkham
@jdkirkham.bsky.social
· Sep 9
Frontiers | Safeguarding the polar regions from dangerous geoengineering: a critical assessment of proposed concepts and future prospects
Fossil-fuel burning is heating the planet with catastrophic consequences for its habitability and for the natural world on which our existence depends. Halti...
www.frontiersin.org
#Geoengineering is not the way to address #climatechange in the polar regions!
Our review of the 5 most prominent polar geoengineering ideas concludes that none are viable. Instead, they are environmentally dangerous and have major governance & ethics issues
www.frontiersin.org/journals/sci...
🧪🌊❄️
Our review of the 5 most prominent polar geoengineering ideas concludes that none are viable. Instead, they are environmentally dangerous and have major governance & ethics issues
www.frontiersin.org/journals/sci...
🧪🌊❄️
Although not as bad as in the press room apparently... bsky.app/profile/ed-k...
And update - as @wwattribution.bsky.social talks about extreme weather attribution - it is raining so hard here that rain is dripping through the #COP30 conference roof
#COP30 kicks off with Earth Information Day with findings that global temperatures between Jan-Aug2025 averaged 1.42C
November 10, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Although not as bad as in the press room apparently... bsky.app/profile/ed-k...
And update - as @wwattribution.bsky.social talks about extreme weather attribution - it is raining so hard here that rain is dripping through the #COP30 conference roof
#COP30 kicks off with Earth Information Day with findings that global temperatures between Jan-Aug2025 averaged 1.42C
November 10, 2025 at 7:17 PM
And update - as @wwattribution.bsky.social talks about extreme weather attribution - it is raining so hard here that rain is dripping through the #COP30 conference roof
Reposted by James Kirkham
Reconstructing October #Arctic sea ice extent since 1850...
Data from @nsidc.bsky.social at doi.org/10.7265/jj4s...
Data from @nsidc.bsky.social at doi.org/10.7265/jj4s...
November 6, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Reconstructing October #Arctic sea ice extent since 1850...
Data from @nsidc.bsky.social at doi.org/10.7265/jj4s...
Data from @nsidc.bsky.social at doi.org/10.7265/jj4s...
Reposted by James Kirkham
Last year, @michaelfwehner.bsky.social and Jim Kossin made the scientific case for a Cat6 cyclone. This week, Hurricane Melissa became the 6th storm in recorded history to smash through that threshold, with max winds of 216mph. And conditions leading to these storms are on the rise.
Read more:
Read more:
The growing inadequacy of an open-ended Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale in a warming world | PNAS
Global warming increases available sensible and latent heat energy, increasing the
thermodynamic potential wind intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs...
www.pnas.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Last year, @michaelfwehner.bsky.social and Jim Kossin made the scientific case for a Cat6 cyclone. This week, Hurricane Melissa became the 6th storm in recorded history to smash through that threshold, with max winds of 216mph. And conditions leading to these storms are on the rise.
Read more:
Read more:
Reposted by James Kirkham
We can stop global warming by midcentury if we reach global net-zero CO₂ by 2050
Every year above 1.5°C raises the risk of crossing tipping points—irreversible ice loss, shifts in ocean circulation, ecosystem collapse, increasing economic damage due to heat, flooding, more intense storms.
Every year above 1.5°C raises the risk of crossing tipping points—irreversible ice loss, shifts in ocean circulation, ecosystem collapse, increasing economic damage due to heat, flooding, more intense storms.
October 29, 2025 at 8:51 AM
We can stop global warming by midcentury if we reach global net-zero CO₂ by 2050
Every year above 1.5°C raises the risk of crossing tipping points—irreversible ice loss, shifts in ocean circulation, ecosystem collapse, increasing economic damage due to heat, flooding, more intense storms.
Every year above 1.5°C raises the risk of crossing tipping points—irreversible ice loss, shifts in ocean circulation, ecosystem collapse, increasing economic damage due to heat, flooding, more intense storms.
Reposted by James Kirkham
Getting back well below 1.5°C before 2100 is still possible, but only if we act now to peak global warming as close as possible to 1.5˚C and minimise overshoot to reduce chance of crossing tipping points and to avoid catastrophic damages.
climateanalytics.org/publications...
climateanalytics.org/publications...
Latest science on the 1.5°C limit of the Paris Agreement
This briefing provides a comprehensive overview of what the science is saying now about the 1.5°C warming limit – what it means, what is at stake, and what actions are needed to limit the risks of ove...
climateanalytics.org
October 29, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Getting back well below 1.5°C before 2100 is still possible, but only if we act now to peak global warming as close as possible to 1.5˚C and minimise overshoot to reduce chance of crossing tipping points and to avoid catastrophic damages.
climateanalytics.org/publications...
climateanalytics.org/publications...
Reposted by James Kirkham
Simply incredible imagery of Hurricane Melissa this morning as it approaches Jamaica.
October 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Simply incredible imagery of Hurricane Melissa this morning as it approaches Jamaica.
Reposted by James Kirkham
The ethical use case for SRM is one in which governance conditions fail to enable adequately rapid decarbonization, and then there is a revolutionary change in governance that allows effective and equitable management of SRM
October 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The ethical use case for SRM is one in which governance conditions fail to enable adequately rapid decarbonization, and then there is a revolutionary change in governance that allows effective and equitable management of SRM
Reposted by James Kirkham
The world’s largest fossil fuel and cement companies should shoulder a major share of the investment needed to develop carbon removal technologies, according to a new peer-reviewed study in @climate-policy.bsky.social. #carbonmajors #CDR #climatepolicy
The responsibility of investor-owned carbon majors to contribute to direct air carbon capture and storage investment
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) options are critical for achieving global climate objectives. Yet, many proposed removal technologies are in their formative phase. Significant near-term investments ar...
www.tandfonline.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The world’s largest fossil fuel and cement companies should shoulder a major share of the investment needed to develop carbon removal technologies, according to a new peer-reviewed study in @climate-policy.bsky.social. #carbonmajors #CDR #climatepolicy
Reposted by James Kirkham
Deep emissions cuts before mid-century are crucial to limit centuries of sea-level rise, new research has found.
Today’s choices could spare future generations up to 0.6m of rise.
Read more in our Press Release 👇
www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Today’s choices could spare future generations up to 0.6m of rise.
Read more in our Press Release 👇
www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Deep emission cuts before mid-century decisive to reduce long-term sea-level rise legacy
Rising seas are irreversible on human time scales and among the most severe consequences of climate change.
www.metoffice.gov.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Deep emissions cuts before mid-century are crucial to limit centuries of sea-level rise, new research has found.
Today’s choices could spare future generations up to 0.6m of rise.
Read more in our Press Release 👇
www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Today’s choices could spare future generations up to 0.6m of rise.
Read more in our Press Release 👇
www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Reposted by James Kirkham
With the latest budget cuts to polar science, we’re not necessarily losing the raw data - but we are losing its translation...
The stories behind the numbers, the context for decision-making, and the communication of the Arctic and Antarctic’s far-reaching impacts throughout the year.
The stories behind the numbers, the context for decision-making, and the communication of the Arctic and Antarctic’s far-reaching impacts throughout the year.
October 16, 2025 at 11:45 AM
With the latest budget cuts to polar science, we’re not necessarily losing the raw data - but we are losing its translation...
The stories behind the numbers, the context for decision-making, and the communication of the Arctic and Antarctic’s far-reaching impacts throughout the year.
The stories behind the numbers, the context for decision-making, and the communication of the Arctic and Antarctic’s far-reaching impacts throughout the year.
The 2025 Global Tipping Points Report is released today, written by 160 authors from 23 countries.
The report assesses the risks and impacts of Earth system tipping points and the opportunities presented by acting on positive tipping points for climate action.
global-tipping-points.org
#COP30
The report assesses the risks and impacts of Earth system tipping points and the opportunities presented by acting on positive tipping points for climate action.
global-tipping-points.org
#COP30
Global Tipping Points | understanding risks & their potential impact
Harmful tipping points in the natural world threaten humanity by disrupting life support systems and societal stability.
global-tipping-points.org
October 13, 2025 at 7:34 AM
The 2025 Global Tipping Points Report is released today, written by 160 authors from 23 countries.
The report assesses the risks and impacts of Earth system tipping points and the opportunities presented by acting on positive tipping points for climate action.
global-tipping-points.org
#COP30
The report assesses the risks and impacts of Earth system tipping points and the opportunities presented by acting on positive tipping points for climate action.
global-tipping-points.org
#COP30
Shocking images of the shrinkage of Swiss glaciers
Switzerland's glaciers have lost 25% of their ice in the last 10 years
🌊🧪❄️
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Switzerland's glaciers have lost 25% of their ice in the last 10 years
🌊🧪❄️
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Before and after images show glaciers vanishing before our eyes
They are melting like never seen before, changing landscapes around the world beyond recognition.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Shocking images of the shrinkage of Swiss glaciers
Switzerland's glaciers have lost 25% of their ice in the last 10 years
🌊🧪❄️
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Switzerland's glaciers have lost 25% of their ice in the last 10 years
🌊🧪❄️
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by James Kirkham
🚨New paper 🚨@natgeosci.nature.com Greenlandification of Antarctica - comment by me + colleagues @dmidk.bsky.social @eo4cryo.bsky.social + @universityofleeds.bsky.social showing how Antarctica increasingly resembles Greenland- drawing on a mass of work from @esaclimate.bsky.social
rdcu.be/eJiqJ
rdcu.be/eJiqJ
The Greenlandification of Antarctica
Nature Geoscience - Climate and ice sheet processes in Antarctica increasingly reflect those observed earlier in Greenland. Applying process insights from Greenland can improve projections of...
rdcu.be
October 3, 2025 at 12:57 PM
🚨New paper 🚨@natgeosci.nature.com Greenlandification of Antarctica - comment by me + colleagues @dmidk.bsky.social @eo4cryo.bsky.social + @universityofleeds.bsky.social showing how Antarctica increasingly resembles Greenland- drawing on a mass of work from @esaclimate.bsky.social
rdcu.be/eJiqJ
rdcu.be/eJiqJ
Reposted by James Kirkham
This is a brilliant demolition of Kemi Badenoch's nonsense about the Climate Change Act by @fionaharvey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As Tories vow to scrap ‘failed targets’, how do their climate claims stack up?
We fact check Kemi Badenoch and her party after she promised to repeal Climate Change Act if they win power
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:03 AM
This is a brilliant demolition of Kemi Badenoch's nonsense about the Climate Change Act by @fionaharvey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by James Kirkham
NEW – Antarctic sea ice winter peak in 2025 is third smallest on record | @ayeshatandon.carbonbrief.org Svetlana Onye w/ comment from @zacklabe.com
Read here: buff.ly/TBQ7aL8
Read here: buff.ly/TBQ7aL8
October 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
NEW – Antarctic sea ice winter peak in 2025 is third smallest on record | @ayeshatandon.carbonbrief.org Svetlana Onye w/ comment from @zacklabe.com
Read here: buff.ly/TBQ7aL8
Read here: buff.ly/TBQ7aL8
Reposted by James Kirkham
🆕 Four key parts of the Earth’s climate system are destabilising. Researchers analysed the interconnections of #Greenland ice sheet, #AMOC, #Amazon rainforest and the South American monsoon system. All four show signs of diminished resilience: www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late... @climtip.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 9:21 AM
🆕 Four key parts of the Earth’s climate system are destabilising. Researchers analysed the interconnections of #Greenland ice sheet, #AMOC, #Amazon rainforest and the South American monsoon system. All four show signs of diminished resilience: www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late... @climtip.bsky.social
Reposted by James Kirkham
Sep 2025 update. If globally adopted:
Critically Insufficient - policies are consistent with 4°C or more of heating
Highly Insufficient - On track for about 3–4°C
Insufficient - policies would lead to warming of 2–3°C
Almost Insufficient - policies would keep warming within the 2°C limit
Critically Insufficient - policies are consistent with 4°C or more of heating
Highly Insufficient - On track for about 3–4°C
Insufficient - policies would lead to warming of 2–3°C
Almost Insufficient - policies would keep warming within the 2°C limit
September 26, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Sep 2025 update. If globally adopted:
Critically Insufficient - policies are consistent with 4°C or more of heating
Highly Insufficient - On track for about 3–4°C
Insufficient - policies would lead to warming of 2–3°C
Almost Insufficient - policies would keep warming within the 2°C limit
Critically Insufficient - policies are consistent with 4°C or more of heating
Highly Insufficient - On track for about 3–4°C
Insufficient - policies would lead to warming of 2–3°C
Almost Insufficient - policies would keep warming within the 2°C limit
Reposted by James Kirkham
Long-buried layers of saline permafrost seem to be accelerating climate change’s transformation of the Arctic. https://scim.ag/46AxH2E
Even subzero parts of the Arctic are thawing. Ancient salt is the culprit
Long-buried layers of saline permafrost seem to be accelerating climate change's transformation of the Arctic
scim.ag
September 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Long-buried layers of saline permafrost seem to be accelerating climate change’s transformation of the Arctic. https://scim.ag/46AxH2E
Reposted by James Kirkham
Trump spreading fossil fuel propaganda lies at the UN - what an embarrassing president for the US.
September 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Trump spreading fossil fuel propaganda lies at the UN - what an embarrassing president for the US.
Reposted by James Kirkham
Meanwhile, back in the world of facts.
wmo.int/publication-...
wmo.int/publication-...
September 23, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Meanwhile, back in the world of facts.
wmo.int/publication-...
wmo.int/publication-...
Reposted by James Kirkham
Want to explain #polarClimate and why #Geoengineering doesn't belong there to kids? Try this excellent Frontiers for Young Minds piece by @helenmillman.bsky.social et al:
kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10....
kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10....
Polar Geoengineering: A Risky Experiment That Will Not Fix Climate Change
Earth’s climate is warming because we burn fossil fuels for electricity, transport, heating, and food production, and this releases greenhouse gases. The polar regions (the Arctic and Antarctic) are w...
kids.frontiersin.org
September 23, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Want to explain #polarClimate and why #Geoengineering doesn't belong there to kids? Try this excellent Frontiers for Young Minds piece by @helenmillman.bsky.social et al:
kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10....
kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10....
"results were mixed. The LLM... effectively summed up commentary content... for a lay audience. However, it tended to sacrifice accuracy for simplicity... extensive editing for hyperbole was needed... It also struggled to highlight more than one result from multifaceted studies."
In 2024, a team of science writers at AAAS ran a long-term experiment to see if ChatGPT could cut it writing news items about scientific research. Here's what they learned. Worth a look. 🧪 #scicomm
www.science.org/content/blog...
www.science.org/content/blog...
Can ChatGPT help science writers?
www.science.org
September 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"results were mixed. The LLM... effectively summed up commentary content... for a lay audience. However, it tended to sacrifice accuracy for simplicity... extensive editing for hyperbole was needed... It also struggled to highlight more than one result from multifaceted studies."