Understanding Climate Change

Mr Ian Cresswell is is responsible for delivering science to help Australians access the immense resources of our ocean in a way that balances economic, social and environmental benefit.

Australia's Marine National Facility provides a research vessel operated by CSIRO and chartered by marine scientists to conduct oceanographic, geo-science, fisheries and ecosystem research of Australia's oceans. The Marine National Facility allows Australian scientists to conduct oceanographic, geo-science, fisheries and ecosystem research of Australia's oceans.

Dr Nadine Marshall works as a social scientist on natural resource management issues to maximise conservation goals and minimise associated social impacts.

This State of the Climate is the second paper produced by CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. It provides a summary of observations of Australia’s climate and analysis of the factors that influence it.

Dr John Radcliffe continues his career of signficant contributions to public life.

CSIRO is maintaining and developing Australia's world-class expertise in climate change science, with a particular focus on the Southern Hemisphere.

This PDF summarises climate change driven pressures on resource availability; food and energy security; and implications for national security (September 2011, 59 pages)

Dr Yun Li is an environmental statistician with many years of experience applying statistical methods to model and understand patterns in our changing climate.

Despite the unprecedented downturn facing Australia’s minerals industry now is the time to invest in strategic research and development, according to CSIRO Minerals Chief Dr Bart Follink.

Our expertise in groundwater hydrology provides robust science to underpin effective water resource planning for the sustainable use of Australia’s groundwater resources.

Extreme weather events are rare and often damaging. They can include severe temperatures, torrential rainfall, large hail, strong wind gusts, fire, tropical cyclones, and high sea levels.

The Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station in north-west Tasmania supplies vital information about changes to the atmospheric composition of the Southern Hemisphere. The Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station supplies vital information about changes our Southern Hemisphere air.

The Gungahlin Homestead located at Crace in the Australian Capital Territory, is an historic site in the north of Canberra that now serves as one of the main sites for CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences.

New research shows the yearly amount of carbon being absorbed from the atmosphere by the world's established forests is equivalent to one third of current annual fossil fuel emissions. (9:23)

The Food Futures Flagship is investigating the dietary benefits of resistant starch and developing commercial grain varieties that are high in resistant starch.

A network of independent wireless sensors has reached its first anniversary of continuous operation at the CSIRO ICT Centre in Brisbane.

A new CSIRO technology called VAMCAT (Ventilation Air Methane Catalytic Turbine) is poised to take a sizable bite out of methane emissions with a Greenhouse effect equivalent to more than 237 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

How do we know the climate is changing? By closely monitoring the Earth's climate system and oceans, and studying the influence of greenhouse gases.

How can we reduce, delay or avoid climate change? Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, using clean energy and storing carbon are crucial.

What about unavoidable climate change? Identifying ways to adapt can help communities reduce the costs and take advantage of opportunities.

Miss Carr-Cornish joined CSIRO in 2006. Interested in how society responds to complex issues, Simone has contributed to a range of projects around climate change, energy technologies and farming land use.

The first-ever Australian benchmark of climate change impacts on marine ecosystems and options for adaptation is the work of more than 70 marine scientists. (4:23)

CSIRO is working with farmers and government departments to research practical options to respond and adapt to climate change. (5:08)

CSIRO scientists are observing changes in ocean temperatures, ocean chemistry and global sea levels. The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity is becoming more apparent. To reduce this impact, urgent action needs to be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stabilise global warming. (7:54)

In this vodcast we visit CSIRO’s Aspendale Laboratory in Melbourne where Dr Paul Fraser from Marine and Atmospheric Research explains two new greenhouse gases showing up in an air collection used for monitoring changes in the atmosphere. (3:53)