The Conversation

What drives surfers to hit the waves as a cyclone approaches the coast? And what will it take to get them to stop? Amy Peden, NHMRC Research Fellow, School of Population Health & co-founder UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When a cyclone hits, the wind is trying very hard to pull the roof off your house. It’s vital the roof stays on – but one weak link can spell disaster. David Henderson, Chief Engineer, Cyclone Testing Station, James Cook University Geoffrey Boughton, Adjunct Associate Professor, Cyclone Testing Station, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Northern Rivers residents are preparing for Cyclone Alfred’s arrival – and drawing lessons from the 2022 floods. Rebecca McNaught, Research Fellow, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How do you stay safe while you begin the clean up and recovery? It can be helpful to have a plan of action ready. Yetta Gurtner, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Centre for Disaster Studies, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Both geostationary and polar orbiting satellites collect data in the visible and infrared regions. There are polar satellites collecting data in the microwave range. Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava, Associate Professor of Geospatial Analysis, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Warmer oceans, more rain and higher seas are likely to heighten Cyclone Alfred’s impact Liz Ritchie-Tyo, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University Andrew Dowdy, Principal Research Scientist in Extreme Weather, The University of Melbourne Hamish Ramsay, Principal Research Scientist, Environment, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists are increasingly worried about a potential slowdown of the major Atlantic ocean current. Now we know it would affect the Southern Hemisphere Himadri Saini, Research Associate at Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW Sydney Laurie Menviel, Associate Professor, Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research shows frogs and other amphibians are already on the brink of overheating in a warming world. Here’s how many will suffer as global temperatures rise. Patrice Pottier, Postdoctoral researcher in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New ancient DNA research on Adélie penguin poo in Antarctica shows how several species respond to environmental change over time, including southern elephant seals. Jamie Wood, Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Evolution, University of Adelaide Theresa Cole, Postdoctoral technician in environmental DNA, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The maps show the predicted flood extent for the most at-risk areas of Brisbane, based on Bureau of Meteorology forecasts. Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer Nicole Hasham, Energy + Environment Editor Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For millions of people, Cyclone Alfred will be their first. From “go bags” to sandbags, here’s what you should do to be as ready as possible. Yetta Gurtner, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Centre for Disaster Studies, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The seas off southeast Queensland are unusually warm, helping Cyclone Alfred intensify as it barrels towards the coast. Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fires and cities do not mix. Authorities have spent decades reducing the risk. But climate change will make some urban fires more likely. David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Calum Cunningham, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Pyrogeography, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Globally, scientists predict each person could lose up to 58 hours of sleep a year by 2100 if planetary warming continues unchecked. Ty Ferguson, Research Fellow, University of South Australia Carol Maher, Professor, research professor in exercise, nutrition and activity, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Thousands of Australian species and ecological communities are threatened – and many don’t have a recovery plan in place. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Seagrass meadows, mangroves and kelp forests are carbon sinks. Restoring or protecting them addresses both biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. Simon Francis Thrush, Director of the Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Part of the system that pumps water, heat and nutrients around the globe is at risk. Climate change could slow the Antarctic Circumpolar Current down 20% by 2050. Taimoor Sohail, Postdoctoral Researcher, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Bishakhdatta Gayen, ARC Future Fellow & Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Heavily populated south-east Queensland is bracing for Cyclone Alfred to make landfall on Thursday Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Talk to your neighbours. Do they have a generator or a camping fridge you can use? This is an opportunity to get to know your community and pool your resources. Yetta Gurtner, Adjunct senior lecturer, Centre for Disaster Studies, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand’s government will likely model its carbon capture legislation on Australia and the EU, which means operators are responsible for leaks for a time after a carbon disposal site is closed. David Dempsey, Associate Professor in Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury Andrew La Croix, Senior Lecturer, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.