Climate Update anuclimatechangeinstitute

COVID-19 has had devastating impacts globally. An unexpected result from the lockdown, however, has been a reduction in air pollution above major cities, and a fall in greenhouse gas emissions globally. But how much have emissions reduced, and are they expected to stay this way?

Early in 2020, the Great Barrier Reef suffered its third mass bleaching event in five years. The unprecedented frequency and severity of these bleaching events poses a huge threat to the Reef's survival. 
But what is coral bleaching, how is it impacted by climate change, and what can we do about it? Join our host Lamis as she discusses these questions with Environmental Ecology and Marine Specialist Dr Jennie Mallela from the Australian National University.

The Arctic Circle is currently experiencing a heatwave, with the Siberian town Verkhoyansk reaching 38° Celsius on 20 June, 2020. This temperature, yet to be verified, is the highest ever recorded in the Arctic Circle.
But what makes this particular heatwave so newsworthy, and what are implications of it locally and globally? Lamis is joined by climate applications scientist Dr Steven Crimp from the Australian National University to discuss further.
 
 

The Federal Government’s recent Technology Investment Roadmap discussion paper discusses options for Australia to reduce carbon emissions. It states that solar and wind are cheaper forms of energy generation, but their reliability is still questionable - and using gas will balance this unreliability.
Lamis is joined by Prof Frank Jotzo, Director of the ANU Centre for Climate Economics & Policy, to discuss what Australia's energy future may look like.

As countries have acted to curb the spread of COVID-19, comparisons have arisen between the global responses to the pandemic and climate change. Despite their differences, they are both significant global challenges requiring immediate evidence-based action.
So why have our responses differed, and what can we learn from COVID-19 for our climate change response? Lamis is joined by climate scientist Prof Mark Howden to discuss these questions.

Australia has always experienced natural booms and busts of droughts and floods, but these cycles are becoming increasingly unpredictable as the climate warms. 
Lamis is joined by Professor Jamie Pittock from the Fenner School of Environment and Society to discuss Australia's water security, and what we could do to improve it.