Climate Systems Hub

It was fantastic to share The National First People's Gathering on Climate Change at #COP29 with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Pep Candell's hub research was instrumental in the latest Global Carbon Budget. He recently shared some key findings from the report.

Saltmarshes: Are they waterlogged, muddy and stinky wastelands OR An essential 'ecosystem service' as well as carbon sinks, pollutant filters and reducing flood impacts?

"This Gathering had a high number of younger attendees which, for me, was especially heartening." Hub scientists and young Butchulla leader Jade Gould reflected on her time at the National First People's Gathering on Climate Change last month.

In 2022, southeast Australia received its highest recorded spring season rainfall, resulting in mass flooding. Our latest factsheet explains the climate drivers that influenced extreme rainfall during this time.

From Tubbah-Gah/Dubbo, Australia to Baku, Azerbaijan. Today, our recap of The Gathering was played during the opening day of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP29 with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The First People-led event, the only of its kind in Australia, enabled climate scientists and First People to exchange ideas on how to respond to the threat of climate change. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have been caring for Country for over 60,000 years and have well-established adaptation strategies that can strengthen our future adaptation solutions. 

Hub researcher Acacia Pepler's recently published research has uncovered some significant rainfall trends in south-east Australia: "Despite well above average numbers of lows and enhanced rainfall during recent La Niña years 2020–2022, total rainfall from low pressure systems is declining during the cool season in south-east Australia." This ABC article unpacks her hub research, and what her findings mean for Australia.

Last week over 100 First Peoples in Australia, representing more than 30 diverse First Nation groups, and scientists attended the National First People’s Gathering on Climate Change. There were many highlights during the week including the moving Welcome to Country by Tubba-Gah/Dubbo Elder Uncle Lewis Burns, the international First Nations panel, showcasing the successful impact Traditional Knowledge practices have had on Tubba-Gah Country, and having First Peoples and climate scientists come together to share how climate change is affecting Country. 

Very privileged to co-facilitate an international panel on Re-centering Traditional Knowledge in science to understand and manage climate risks in the National First Peoples Gathering on Climate Change in Dubbo, Tubba-gah Country this week. Great insights from Professor Kyle Whyte, US Science Envoy, Dr Simon Lambert, Chief Science Adviser Maori, Brett Huson from the Gitxsan Nation British Colombia, and Serena Pickering from ITAUKEI Women in Conservation Fiji. Narratives on the science needed for climate action now need to change to value Traditional Knowledge; assessment methods need to recognise key intangibles communities value; and inclusion must be enabled. Importantly the panel emphasised that working together to share experience can add strength to the voice to influence governments and policy. This Gathering, with more than 100 Traditional Custodians from around Australia, as well as international leaders and climate scientists from the NESP Climate Systems Hub, is timely. Its outcomes are relevant to how Australia can support First Nations voices in UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties, particularly if Australia and the Pacific win the bid to host the 2026 COP. Photo includes Professor Kyle Whyte (centre), Lewis Burns, Tubba-gah leader and outstanding Didgeridoo player (second from left), Samarla Deshong Co-Chair of the National First Peoples Platform on Climate Change (third from left), Dr Simon Lambert (second from right), and Serena Pickering (far right).

Just a handful of rainfall events can mean the difference between drought and non-drought conditions. Last week we heard from Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Dr Chiara Holgate in our webinar, Why El Niño doesn’t always mean drought: How climate drivers and weather interact. Their presentations are not to be missed: watch the recording now on our website.