Climate Update

How has the COVID-19 lockdown impacted global emission levels?

COVID-19 has had devastating impacts globally. An unexpected result of the lockdown, however, has been reduced air pollution across major cities, and a fall in greenhouse gas emissions globally.
But how much have emissions reduced, and are they expected to stay this way? Our host Lamis Kazak is joined by Professor Mark Howden, Director of the Climate Change Institute, to discuss these questions further.
Episode recorded on 4 May 2020.

Coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef

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.

Heatwave in the Arctic Circle

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.
 
 

Gas, renewables, and Australia's energy future

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.

COVID-19 and Climate Change - Parallels and disconnects

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.

From drought to floods - water security in Australia

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.

Twitter trolls, climate disinformation, and the 2016 US Presidential election

Throughout the 2016 US Presidential election process, a disinformation campaign was run on Twitter by an organisation later found to be associated with the Russian government. Climate change was one of the most prominent topics featured in this campaign.
What was the aim of spreading this climate disinformation, what were the consequences, and how should we handle climate disinformation on social media? Lamis is joined by Indigo Strudwicke and Dr Will Grant to discuss these questions.

Negative Emissions Technologies – What are they & why do we need them?

Negative emissions technologies (NETs) can be a controversial topic. However, NETs have a vital role to play in addressing climate change. The Paris Climate Agreement targets of keeping global warming under 1.5° C requires use of NETs, as well as rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuel use & towards renewable energy.
So what exactly are NETs, & why are they so important? Lamis is joined by Dr Bec Colvin from the ANU Crawford School to discuss.