Given the critical role of the Southern Ocean in the Earth’s climate system, changes in the Southern Ocean have global ramifications. In fact, changes are already under way. The Southern Ocean has warmed and freshened, become more acidic and ocean circulation patterns have changed. Changes in marine ecosystems in the Southern Ocean have been linked to these changes.
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Sea ice extent and thickness – are important indicators of the polar response to climate change. This report explores the latest scientific knowledge on the central role of sea ice in the global climate system, as well as the the uncertainties that exist in current forecasting models.
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Sea-level rise, with associated effects such as increased frequency of severe storm surges, will be one of the greatest impacts of a warming world on human societies. Even if global warming stabilises, the ice sheets will continue to add to sea level for many centuries into the future. This report outlines the likely effect of global warming on the polar ice sheets, and the potential impacts of ice sheet change on sea level.
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This position analysis outlines recent developments in the science of sea-level rise and its influence on the effects of extreme events such as high tides and storm surges. It also identifies some of the key issues around the potential impacts of sea-level rise and extreme events and the consequences they will have for Australia and its neighbours.
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In this briefing, we address the science of sea-level rise and briefly mention the potential impacts of sea-level rise. We report recent progress in understanding sea-level rise and also clarify confusion around interpretations of the IPCC sea-level projections.
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This report outlines the likely impacts of increased carbon dioxide absorption on the world’s oceans, in particular the Southern Ocean and identifies issues for consideration in policy development.
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This report examines the issues and potential risks surrounding ocean fertilisation as a method for mitigating anthropogenic C02 emissions. Proposals have been made to add nutrients to the oceans in large quantity to increase the growth of microscopic marine plants and therefore increase carbon dioxide uptake. However, ocean fertilisation may cause changes in marine ecosystem that lead to undesirable effects.
Discover MoreAuthorised by the CEO of the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre October 2019.
The ACE CRC was established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program.
