Atmosphere and climate
OzClim - Climate change scenarios for Australia
OzClim is a climate scenario generator for Australia that simplifies the process of calculating future climate change for application to impact models. It is a PC-based software tool developed by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research in collaboration with the International Global Change Institute (IGCI), University of Waikato and is based on the CLIMPACTS model developed by IGCI for New Zealand
OzClim features a graphical user interface and point and click technology for ease of use, fast calculations and visualisation capabilities. This system allows comparison of output from a range of global climate models and construction of future climate change scenarios for risk assessment. The ability to ‘plug in’ impact models into OzClim and run a given model multiple times with different scenarios are further advantages of the software
The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research
The Centre is a partnership between Australia's leading atmospheric & oceanographic research agencies: the Bureau of Meteorology & CSIRO, to provide a coordinated approach to weather and climate research in Australia. The new Centre was launched in December 2007 at the National Museum in Canberra. The Centre's science includes: Weather and environmental prediction; Ocean prediction; Atmosphere and land observation and assessment; Seasonal and interannual prediction; Ocean observation and assessment; and Climate change.
Climate change in Australia
Climate Change in Australia provides the latest information on observed climate change over Australia and its likely causes, as well as updated projections of changes in temperature, rainfall and other aspects of climate that can be expected over coming decades as a result of continued global emissions of greenhouse gases. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases are likely to cause decreases in rainfall in the decades to come in southern areas during winter, in southern and eastern areas during spring, and in south-west Western Australia during autumn, compared with conditions over the past century.
The greenhouse effect and climate change
This publication presents the scientific basis for understanding the nature of human-induced climate change within the context of the complex and naturally-varying global climate system, including the mechanisms of climate, natural variability in the climate system, human influences on the climate system, and observing the climate.
Australian Climate Change and Variability. Changes in mean climate in climate extremes
Changes in mean climate trend maps show the value of the linear trend of seasonal and annual mean rainfall, temperature, pan evaporation and sea surface temperature for selected regions and time periods. Timeseries graphs show historical values of rainfall, temperature, pan evaporation and sea surface temperature averaged over selected regions and seasons. Average maps show the long-term average value of rainfall, temperature, pan evaporation and sea surface temperature for selected seasons. The interactive Data Portal allows users to download historical monthly timeseries of Australian rainfall and temperature for user-defined areas.Changes in climate extremes trend maps show the value of the linear trend of extreme daily rainfall and temperature indices for selected time periods. Timeseries graphs show historical averages of extreme daily rainfall and temperature indices.
Australia’s high-quality climate change datasets
Monitoring changes in Australia’s climate requires observational datasets that are not only good quality, but also homogeneous through time. A homogeneous climate record is one in which all observed climate variations are due to the behaviour of the atmosphere, not other influences, such as changes in location, exposure of the observation site, instrumentation type or measuring procedure.
Climate change scenarios for initial assessment of risk in accordance with risk management guidance
A CSIRO study to prepare regional climate change scenarios for use in initial assessment of risks - relates to the publication "Climate Change Impacts and Risk Mangement: A Guide for Government and Business". Specifically, scenarios were needed for 2030 for changes in: average annual temperature, rainfall, potential evaporation and sea-level; average daily extremes of temperature, rainfall, cyclone intensity and fire danger. average annual solar radiation and humidity, and extreme daily wind-speed. In this report, the scenarios have been simplified. The ranges of uncertainty have been converted to a low scenario and a high scenario. Data are presented in a table for each of ten regions, with a non-technical description of potential impacts by the year 2030.
Climate change : an Australian guide to the science and potential impacts
Sets out the main facts and uncertainties regarding climate change, and helps provide Australians with policy-relevant advice and source material. It is largely based on the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC TAR) published in 2001. However, this guide has been substantially updated with relevant summaries of the latest international and Australian observations, scientific developments, and studies regarding the impacts of, and adaptation to climate change in Australia.
Building a Future on Knowledge from the Past: What Palaeo-Science Can Reveal about Climate Change and its Potential Impacts in A
Sound, well dated and well understood palaeo-records are playing an increasing role in climate modelling. Palaeoclimatic data can potentially provide important additional information on the behaviour of key processes in the global climate system of regional to global significance. This information is of significant value for climatic modelling. Palaeo-records provide valuable insights into how climate variation and change has and could affect our terrestrial and marine environments. In particular, they allow the identification of sensitivities and vulnerabilities. This information has great potential to be used in our planning for future climate change.
Australian Climate Change Science Program - Strategic Research Agenda (2004-2008)
Programme will support the ongoing development of a national climate modelling capacity. The Programme targets policy-relevant research and will advance the frontiers of science to provide the best possible information to support decision-making on climate-related issues. The Programme underpins the capacity of governments, business and industry, and the community to understand and respond to climate change.